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WESTON 
Lucretia  Borgia 


LUCRETTA  BORGIA. 

|l  gram  a. 

IN    THREE    ACTS 


ADAI'TED    FROM     THE    FRENCH    OF    VICTOR    HQOO, 

J.    M.    WESTON 

COMEDIAN. 


NOW    FIRST    PUBLISHED, 

WITH  BBITORIAI,  REMARKS,  SCENE  AND  PROPERTy  SUOS, 
ORIGINAL  CASTS,  COSTUMES, 

And  all  tfae  Stae^  BusineM. 


NEW    YORK: 
S  A  M  {J  E  L     F  K  E  N  C  H ,    PUBLISHER, 

122  XASS4.0  Stkekt,   (Up  Stairs.) 


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REMARKS. 


The  present  version  of  "Lucrctia  Borgia"  was  first  produced  at  the  Bt 
Charles  Theatre,  NeW  Orleans,  in  1S44,  at  that  time  under  the  management  of 
J.  H.  Caldwell,  Esq.  The  business  of  the  season  had  been  uncommonly  dull, 
each  night  presenting  "o  beggarly  account  of  empty  boxes,"  As  a  last  resource, 
the  adapter,  J.  M.  Weston,  Esq.,  then  stage  manager  of  the  theatre,  decided 
upon  producing  this  drama.  A  failure  was  predicted  by  his  friends,  as  several 
versions  of  the  same  piece  had  been  played  in  that  region,  and  had  invariably 
proved  unsuccessful ;  but  the  tact  evinced  by  Mr.  W.  in  introducing  new 
Ecenes  and  situations,  transposing  others,  and  expunging  the  revolting  por- 
tions of  the  original,  and  the  aid  afforded  by  the  efiScient  stock  company  at- 
tached to  the  St.  Charles,  insured  for  it  a  triumphant  success.  The  piece  had 
a  long  run,  and  was  the  means  of  placing  the  treasury  of  the  theatre  in  a  most 
healthy  condition.  The  author  played  Gennaro,  Mr.  J.  A.  J.  Neafle,  Gnbetta, 
and  Mrs.  Farren,  Lucretia  Borgia,  and  with  that  character  she  has  since  become 
identified;  others  have  subsequently  played  it;  but  none  have  been  able  to  ef- 
face the  impression  formed  by  witnessing  Mrs.  F.  in  her  powerful  and  thrill- 
ing delineation  of  the  duchess. 

We  shall  not  attempt  any  criticism  on  the  drama,  the  press  and  the  pnblic 
having  universally  decided  in  its  favor.  Sufficient  to  say  that  it  is  frequently 
played  throughout  the  Union  by  Miss  Dean,  Miss  Logan,  and  others,  and  al 
ways  proves  a  sure  card,  when  more  legitimate  pieces  fail  to  draw.  Our 
thanks  are  due  to  the  author  for  his  kindness  in  furnishing  the  copy  from 
which  we  publish.  We  arc  also  indebted  to  J.  B.  Wright  and  Alfred  Howell 
Esqrs.,  tf  the  Boston  Theatre,  for  their  valuable  services. 

•W.  V.  8. 
(4) 


LUCRETIA    BORGIA. 


SCSyERT. 

ACT  I. 


ScBNB  1.  —  View  of  Venice  by  moonlight.  7  o.  3  rows  set  moon 
light  waters.  Set  moonlight,  terrace,  cross  and  steps  in  c.  Palace  and 
archway  on  K.  H.  3  O.,  with  steps  ;  backed  by  interior  of  palace, 
i'errace  from  1  G.  H.  h.  up  to  palace,  a.  h.  Gondolas  crossing  u.  and 
Ij.  Vases  on  L.  H.  Set  statues  on  R.  and  L.  H.  Set  garden  bench 
of  marble  on  h.  h.  in  front  of  terrace.  Moonlight  garden  wings  on 
I,.  H.  to  4  G.  Moonlight  horizon,  5  to  7  G.  Moonlight  garden  and 
exterior  of  palace  wings  on  r.  h. 

Quick  drop. 


Scene  1.  —  Street,  7  g.  Set  palace  on  r.  h.,  3  g.,  with  practical 
window  and  latticed  balcony.  Steps  and  platform  behind  palace. 
Escutcheon  and  armorial  bearings  on  palace,  and,  in  large  gold  let- 
ters, the  name  of  "  Borgia; "  the  letter  "  B  "  practical,  to  be  removed. 
Large  door  and  small  door  of  palace  practical,  backed  by  interior. 
Handsome  house  on  L.  H.,  door  practical,  backed  by  interior. 

Scene  2.  —  Street.    1  g. 

Scene  3.  —  Palace.    3  and  4  a.    c  D.  used,  backed  by  rich  interior. 
Door  R.  F.,  practical,  backed  by  interior.    Set  door  L.  i.  E.    Secret 
door  in  i,.  h.,  backed  by  dark  interior. 
Quick  Drop, 

ACT  three. 

Scene  1.  —  Palace  arch.  4  and  6  o.,  with  red  drapery  curtaina, 
practical,  backed  with  hall  of  black.  Large  black  altar,  5  o.  c. 
(with  steps.)  Cross  on  it.  Chandeliers  down  and  lighted,  3  o.  c. 
the  lights  to  go  out  during  the  scene.    Set  door,  1  e.  r.  h. 

(ft) 


lUCBETIA    BIJBGIA. 


PROPF.RTIES. 


ACT   ONE. 


Scene  1.  —  Green  cloth  down.  25  masks  and  domiaos  for  lords 
and  ladies.  W.  letter  and  dagger  for  Gennaro.  Oars  in  gondolas. 
Spring  mask  for  Lucretia.  Spring  mask,  dagger  and  cloak  for  duke. 
Spring  mask,  dagger  and  cloak  for  Rustighello.  4  torches  for  ser- 
vants. 

ACT  TWO. 

Scene  1.  —  Handsome  red  scarf  for  Gennaro. 

Scene  2.  —  Ducat  for  Rustighello. 

Scene  3.  —  Table  on  r.  c,  richly  covered,  on  it  handbell,  gold 
mkstand,  pens,  ink,  paper,  handsome  book.  State  chair  and  foot- 
stool on  R.  H.  Gothic  chair  I,,  of  table.  6  spears  for  guards.  Poison 
phial  for  Lucretia.  Small  key  and  purse  of  gold  for  duke.  Small 
salver  of  gold,  on  it  a  golden  flagon,  a  silver  fl.agon,  and  two  enam- 
elled goblets,  ready,  R.  H.  d.,  for  Ilustighello. 


ACT  three. 

Scene  1.  —  Rich  banquet  tables  on  r.  and  L.,  set  out  with  goblets 
of  gold  and  silver ;  gold  and  silver  flagons,  vases  of  fruit,  4  lighted 
candelabras,  silver  salver  ■with  a  mock  pheasant,  carving  knife  and 
fork  on  table,  R.  H.  4  gold  bottles  on  r.  and  L.  H.  18  chairs  on  r. 
and  L.  Chair  of  state  on  r.  h.  Gold  salver  with  gold  bottle,  Con- 
taining seven  glasses  of  wine,  and  seven  green  glasses,  ready,  1  e. 
I,.,  for  Astolpho.  Six  long  torches  for  monks.  Six  rosaries  for 
monks.  Dagger  for  Lucretia.  four  long  lighted  candles  on  altar 
behind.  Five  black  coflins,  with  plates  and  names  on  coffins  in  large 
white  letters,  ready  to  place  on  R.  and  L.  of  altar,  behind  curtains. 
Poison  phial  for  Gennaro.    Table  and  ights  for  musicians,  4  B.  B.  u. 


l-CCT.liTIA    JIOUiJIA. 


COSTUME.-  loth  Century. 

Don  Alphonso  —  Violet  haul>erk,  large  sleeves,  {rroad  gulri  belt, 
gj-psire  and  dagger  ;  gold  chain  round  neck,  and  anc/ther  Liolow  hips; 
violet  tiijhts,  black  velvet  ankle  hoots,  laced  up  tront,  and  eaibi-oi- 
dcred  peaked  toes.  Second  Dress  —  Circular  jewelled  hut,  small 
fe?.thers,  splendid  ducal;  sara-c style,  short  arrahole  cloak,  tiiiiinacd 
with  enuino  ;  ducal  chain,  hat,  &e.;  buff  boots,  embroidered. 

Uennaro  —  Plain  plum  hauberk,  belt,  gypsire  and  dagger;  t:ghts 
to  correspond ;  ankle  boots ;  and  cowl,  -with  small  cape,  to  match 
hauberk  ;  dark  Spanish  rocqucleau,  vandyked  edges. 

Gubctta  —  Plain  black  hauberk,  trimmed  with  scarlet,  vandyked 
sleeves  and  skirt;  hood  and  cape  to  match;  belt,  gypsire  an'!  rhv.-- 
gcr ;  plain  buff  ankle  boots  ;  a  gray  and  l>lack  roequcleau,  vaiidvked. 

Orsini — Handsome  red  hauberk;  properties  to  correspov.fi  with 
the  same  period. 

Jcppo  —  Handsome  buft'  aad  silver  hauberk.  Properties,  fcc,  as 
Orsini. 

Aposioh — Hauberk,  sky  bl«e -<md  silver.    Properties,  &e.,  us  OrsiiiL 

Vloferno —  Bl.Tck  or  gold  hauberk.     Properties,  &e.,  as  Orsii;!. 

Ritstighelh  —  Shirt  of  mail,  covered  with  a  bulT  hauberk,  ojjeti  and 
laced  up  the  front,  shorter  than  the  mail;  velvet  hat,  small  red 
feather. 

Ascanio  —  Green  and  gold  hiuberk.     Propertier;,  i*tc. 

Astolfo  —  Plain  green  hauberk,  amber  sleeves,  badge  on  arm, 
ehoes,  Xrc. 

Bnptiste  —  Sho«rt  red  «kirt,  breastplate,  gaur.tlet,  and  fccimet, 
eword,  &c 

Pietro  —  Short  brown  shiri.     i'rviperties,  Sc'Z. 

Six  Monks  —  Black  gowns,  witii  hoods  and  rosaries. 

TwetUy  Maskers — Various  costumes,  prcnous  to  the  fifroenth 
eenturj'. 

Ten  Lords  —  Velvet  hauberks,  bats  and  feathers,  aad  proper-ties 
to  correspond. 

Six  Pages — Short  shirts,  full  hanging  sleeves,  hats,  iS:c. 

Ei(jht  Soldiers  —  Same  as  Baptistc. 

Thi  hatiberk  was  a  tight  bixly  shirt,  laoed  or  buttoned  up  the  front, 
eometimcs  vandyked,  the  belts  broad,  jewelled,  and  worn  considera- 
bly below  the  hips ;  circular  caps  witli  jewelled  bands,  no  rims,  small 
ostrich  feathers. 

i  V£r<d,iM — First  Dress  —  Light  gray,  triuimed  with  black  \c\v(t. 


8  LUCKETIA    UOKGlA. 

iitit!  train,  veil  and  mask.  Second  Dress --Red  velvet,  trimmed 
vnih  ermine.  Stomacher  of  jewels,  jewelled  cestus  and  belt ;  duch- 
ess's coronet  of  diamonds.  Third  Dress  —  Black  velvet  bugle  dress, 
with  train  ;  black  jewelled  cestus  and  belt,  and  black  jewelled  cor- 
«nct;  dagger. 

Pruicess  —  Satin  petticoat,  velvet  over-dress,  trimmed  with  er- 
Kliue,  and  tiara  of  diamonds. 

jMdies  —  Satiu  and  velvet  dresses,  Avith  trains  and  head  dieuM. 


LDCRETIA    BORGIA. 


ACT  I. 

BcEJfH  I.  —  The  palace  of  Barharigo,  at  Venice,  spleiididly  illu' 
minaied.  G-rand  entrance,  with  three  steps  to  ascend.  A  ter- 
race in  front,  extending  from  the  first  wing  to  the  u.  E.  The 
terrace  is  festooned  with  Jioicers,  &;c.  Back  is  a  magnificent 
view  of  Venice  by  moonlight,  with  the  canal  of  Jucca  in  front, 
with  handsome  gondolas  passing  and  repassing,  from  ichich 
music  is  heard,  gay  and  sad  alternately,  which  gradually  dies 
axcay  in  the  distance. 

Time  —  night.  A  carnival.  Maskers  of  all  kinds  pass  atid  repass 
to  appropriate  music.  Several  of  the  maskers  come  forward  and 
perform  an  appropriate  dance,  and  exeunt  l.  and  R.  u.  e. 

Enter,  L.  v.  E.,  Gexxaro,  Maffio  Orsini,  Don  Apostolo  Ga- 

ZELLA,    ASCANIO    PeTRUCCA,  OloFERNO  VlTELLOZZO,    JepPO 

LrVERETTO,  come  doicn,  and  Gubetta,  who  rather  conceals  him- 
self from  observation,  up  stage,  L.  2  e.  All  have  masks  «» 
(heir  hands,  and  all  very  richly  dressed. 

SITUATIONS. 

Mappio.  Apostolo.  Jeppo.  Gexnaro.  Oloperno.  Ascaxio, 


Jeppo.     Now,  signors,  I  am  best  acquainted  with  this  story. 
ilttffio.     Well,  then,  give  us  the  full  particulars. 
Olofemo.     There  never  was  a  tale  more  full  of  horror !  thera 
never  was  a  deed  luore  black  and  damning .' 

(9^ 


lO  LTOHETIA    B0H.&IA. 

Ascanio.  Ay,  a  dark  and  bloody  deed,  pei-petrated  by  some 
malicious  demon  who  revels  in  blood  and  crime. 

Jeppo.  I  know  all  the  particulars,  gentlemen  :  I  have  them 
from  his  excellency,  my  cousin,  the  Cardinal  Carriale.  You 
all  know  the  Cardinal  Carriale,  who 

Gennaro.  {Throwing  himself  on  a  bench,  R.,  and  yawning.) 
Ah  me !  I  see  how  it  is :  Jeppo  is  going  to  tell  us  one  of  his 
long  stories.  Good  by  :  I  can't  stand  it :  I  am  already  suffi- 
ciently worn  out. 

Maffio.  These  things,  Gennaro,  are  of  too  trifling  and  do- 
mestic a  nature  for  your  bold  and  daring  spirit.  You  have  no 
kindred,  no  father  or  mother,  to  whose  safety  you  must  look. 
We  have.  You  are  the  child  of  chance ;  but  that  you  are 
noble,  your  look,  your  words,  your  conduct  fully  proves,  and 
stamp  your  greatness  on  your  brow. 

Gennaro.     {Yatcning.)     Thank  you,  worthy  friend. 

Majio.     But  still  you  cannot  claim  a  righi  to  these  honors  yet. 

Gc7inaro.  {Starting  top.)  Maffio,  I  make  no  boast  of  the 
purity  of  my  blood,  of  the  nobleness  of  my  rank,  or  of  claims 
to  honors,  only  as  I  win  them.  God  is  the  only  parent  I  have 
ever  known ;  and  the  proudest  potentate  that  ever  reared  his 
haughty  crest  to  awe  us  into  reverence  by  his  birth  and  rank 
can  vaunt  no  higher  lineage,  or  feel  more  noble  than  I  do  now, 
when  I  acknowledge  that  to  IIim  alone  I  address  the  holy  name 
of  Father! 

Maffio.  Believe  me,  I  meant  not  offence.  We  are  brothers 
in  arms ;  you  saved  my  life  at  Romana ;  and  w-e  have  sworn  to 
aid  each  other  in  war  and  in  love,  and  to  revenge  each  other's 
wrongs,  when  required.  Our  very  fates  are  allied ;  for,  by  the 
predictions  of  an  astrologer,  all  of  us,  friends  and  companions 
in  arms,  now  together  here,  are  doomed  to  perish  on  the  self- 
same day.  You  say  truly,  no  earthly  parent  has  yet  called  you 
son.  What,  then,  are  the  histories  of  families  to  you,  who  have 
none  ?  We  have  an  interest  in  these  secret  murders :  our 
fathers,  mothers,  and  relatives  ai-e  concerned.  No  one  of  us, 
except  yourself,  but  has  felt  the  deadly  malice  of  this  invisible 
fiend  in  the  death  of  some  near  relative.  Our  hearts  have 
quivered  from  the  secret  stabs  of  these  midnight  murderers. 


L:TCRETIX    BOKRIA..  11 

Gcnnan.  {Givuiff  his  hand.)  My  friend,  pardon  my  ill- 
^.imed  rashness, 

Maffio-  From  my  hoart.  Come,  Jcppo,  tell  us  -wlist  you 
know. 

GettKaro,  {^Throicing  kimself  again  on  bench,  v„,  in  a  sleeping 
Xicsithtir.)     Prajr  vake  mc  when  Jcp|K)  finishes  his  story. 

Jeppo.  Well,  well,  fear  not  our  care.  And  now  for  my 
story,  which,  on  my  life,  is  a  marvellous  one-  It  was  in  the 
yoar  1480 

GtibetCa.     (^L.,  tfi7aiii.<if  co/u^ui.)     Ninety-seven! 

Jeppo,  Ninety-seven !  Yes,  yes,  you  are  right>  In  the 
year  1497,  on  a  certain  Sunday 

Giibetta.     Friday ! 

Jeppo.     Well,  Friday  —  in  November 

G^tbeitih     December ! 

Jeppo.  Well,  you  mat/  be  right,  count,  but  it  does  not  mat- 
ter; November -or  December,  it  is  all  the  same.  But  on  a  cer- 
tain Friday  night,  a  waterman  of  the  Tiber,  who  was  sleeping 
in  Ills  boat,  just  below  the  church  Santo  Hieronimo,  at  Ripetta, 
was  awakened  by  the  tramp  of  footsteps,  and  raising  his  head, 
he  perceived  through  the  mists  of  the  night,  (or,  rather,  morn- 
inff,  I  should  say,  for  it  was  two  hours  past  midnight,)  two  men 
coming  do'wn  the  street  on  the  left  of  the  church,  who  walked 
cautiously  about,  hither  and  thither,  along  the  quay.  In  a  few 
moments  two  others  appeared  on  the  street  at  the  right  of  the 
church,  who,  at  a  signal  from  the  first,  advanced  to  the  river ; 
these  were  joined  by  three  others,  one  of  whom  was  mounted 
on  a  large  white  horse,  and  attended  bj^  a  comrade  on  either 
Bide  —  making,  in  all,  seven  men. 

Gennaro.  ^\^lat !  the  jrhite  horse  made  the  seventh  war. 
Jeppo  ? 

Jeppo.  The  quay  was  silent  and  deserted.  The  houses 
around  were  shrouded  in  gloom  and  darkness,  save  one,  from 
which  gleamed  a  lonely  light.  The  seven  men  (uid  the  white 
horse  drew  nigh  to  the  water's  edge,  and  then  the  boatman,  to 
his  horror  and  surprise,  distinctly  perceived  a  corpse  hanging 
across  the  pummel  of  the  saddle.  Two  of  the  men  watched  at 
the  comers  of  the  streets,  while  the  others  hastilv  disincum- 


12  LUCRETIA    BORGIA. 

bered  liie  horse  of  its  burthen,  and,  with  a  violent  saving,  com- 
mitted the  body  to  the  stream.  The  man  upon  the  horse  then 
asked,  "Is  all  safe?"  to  ■which  one  of  the  men  replied,  "  Yes, 
yes,  my  lord;  no  fear  of  that."  They  then  departed,  taking 
the  road  to  Saint  Jacques.     This  is  the  boatman's  story. 

Maffio.  Mysterious,  indeed !  doubtless  a  man  of  rank,  who 
had  been  murdered,  and  the  rider  was  the  assassin. 

Gubetta.  {Doioti  L.)  Mysterious,  indeed !  for  on  that  white 
horse  were  ttro  brothers  ! 

Jcppo.  You  are  right,  De  Belvcrana.  The  horseman  was 
no  other  than  Caesar  Borgia,  and  the  corpse  was  that  of  his 
onlj'  brother,  John  Borgia ! 

MaJJio.  A  house  of  demons  is  that  of  Borgia.  But  tell  us, 
Jeppo,  why  a  brother  thus  assassinated  his  brother. 

Jeppo.  That  is  almost  too  horrible  to  repeat.  I  cannot  tell 
you  now ;  this  is  nor  time  nor  place. 

Gubetta.  {Crossing  to  Maffio,  c.)  /  "will  tell  you,  signer. 
Caesar  Borgia,  Cardinal  of  Valence,  assassinated  John  Borgia, 
Duke  of  Candia,  his  brother,  with  his  owti  hand,  at  his  own 
altar,  because  they  both  loved  the  same  woman  ! 

Maffio.     And  the  woman  ?  —  who  was  the  woman  ? 

Gubetta.     Their  cousm.     f^he  yet  lives,  and  her  name  is 

Jeppo.  Enough,  enough,  'Jelverana !  Do  not  insult  our  ears 
even  with  the  name  of  that  fiend  in  an  angel's  form.  There  is 
not  one  of  us  but  haf  eJcpmenced  the  effects  of  her  infernal 
power. 

Maffio.  Methinks  I  have  heard  of  a  child  connected  with 
this  affair.     Is  it  not  so  ? 

Jeppo.  Yes,  there  -n  as  a  child,  and  I  have  heard  his  father 
named. 

Gubetta.    Yes;  John  Torgia. 

Maffio.     The  child,  if  Uving,  would  be  now  a  man. 

Oloferno.  Ay ;  but  he  has  disappeared  long  since ;  and 
whether  Caesar  Borgia  conceals  him  from  the  mother,  or  tha 
mother  fiom  him,  no  o>  6  can  tell. 

A])ostolo.  She  does  wisely,  if  it  be  the  mother,  for  this  Csesar 
Borgia,  since  he  has  becoirt  Duke  of  Valence,  has  slain,  beside 
hia  brother  John,  hie  two  nephews,  sons  of  Godfrey  Borgia,  and 


LUCBETIA    BOaOIAo.  It 

his  cousin,  the  cardinal,  Francois  Borgia,  and  has  evca  attempt- 
ed the  life  of  the  pope.     He  riots  in  human  blood ! 

Jeppo.  He  aims  to  become  the  sole  male  of  the  name,  and 
then  his  wealth  would  be  enormous. 

Gttbelta.  That  cousin,  whom  you  {to  Jeppo)  are  so  loth  to 
name,  made  a  secret  pilgrimage  to  the  nunncrj'  of  St.  Sixtus, 
at  the  time  of  the  assassination  of  John  Borgia,  and  secluded 
herself  for  many  months,  no  one  exactly  knoAving  why. 

Jeppo.  I  have  heard  a  cause  assigned.  It  was  to  separate 
herself  fiom  her  second  husband,  John  Sforza. 

Maffio.  "What  was  the  boatman's  name  who  saw  the  act 
related  by  you  ?     Know  you  who  he  was  ? 

Jeppo.     I  do  not  know. 

Gubetta.  His  name  was  Georgio  Schiavone ;  his  business 
was  to  trade  in  provisions  and  fuel  down  the  Tiber,  to  Ripetta. 
He  is  dead — died  some  time  since — died  rather  suddenly, 
some  say  by  poison  !  It  is  eery  likely.  {Crosses  to  b.,,  aiid  goes 
tip  the  stage.) 

Maffio.  {In  a  low  tone,  to  his  companions.)  This  Spaniard 
knows  more  of  our  aftairs  than  we  do  ourselves.      'Tis  strange. 

Ascanio.  {Low,  to  Maffio.)  I  distrust  him,  as  well  as  your- 
self. Say  nothing,  but  let  us  keep  an  eye  upon  his  movements. 
Despite  that  smooth  tongue  of  his,  there  is  danger  in  him,  or  I 
greatly  err. 

Jeppo.  Ah,  gentlemen,  what  an  age  we  live  in  !  TATiat  with 
war,  pestilence,  love,  intrigue,  murder,  poison,  and  the  Borgias, 
show  me  the  man  in  Italy  sure  of  life  for  a  single  day. 

Apostolo.  Well,  comrades,  we  are,  as  you  are  doubtless 
aware,  all  attached  to  the  embassy,  which  the  republic  of  Ven- 
ice sends  to  the  Duke  of  Ferrara,  to  congratulate  him  on  the 
recapture  of  Rimni,  upon  the  Maltesta,  "VNTien  do  we  leave 
Venice  ? 

Oloferno.  The  day  after  to-morrow,  certain.  The  two  am- 
bassadors are  already  appointed  —  the  Senator  Tripolo,  and 
Grimani,  the  captain  of  the  galleys. 

Ascanio.     Does  Captain  Gcnnaro  accompany  us  ? 

Mttffia.    Yes,  if  /  do.    We  never  separate ;  we  aie  more  than 
brothers  in  heart. 
2 


14  LtrCRETIA    BORGIA.. 

Jtscanio.  {In  a  low  voice.)  Gentlemen,  one 'word — an  im- 
portant suggestion ;  for  the  present  let  none  of  us  drink  Span' 
ish  wine.     {Looking  towards  Gubetta.) 

Jeppo.  I  have  another  important  word.  Have  you  taken 
core  to  see  that  we  have  any  other  wine?  I  have  no  partiality 
for  Spain,  but  if  the  choice  is  between  Spanish  wine  or  no  wine 
at  all,  I  shall  embrace  Spain  decidedly. 

Majfio.  Let  us  in.  Halloa,  Gennaro !  Faith,  Jeppo,  yc-f 
etori-  had  its  effect ;  he  sleeps  soundly. 

Jeppo.  Let  him  sleep,  then.  I'll  drink  his  share  ■with  my 
own,  for  I  am  devilish  thirsty. 

Exeunt  all,  B.  u.  e.,  except  Gubetta. 

Gubetta,  {Cotnes  forward,  L.  c.)  «This  Spaniard  knows 
more  of  our  affairs  than  we  do  ourselves,"  said  they.  I  heard 
their  words,  low  as  they  spoke  them.  Ha,  ha,  ha  !  They  are 
right ;  I  do  know  more  than  they  themselves ;  but  Donna  Lu- 
cretia  knows  more  than  I,  and  my  lord  of  Valentenois  knows 
more  than  Donna  Lucretia ;  the  devil  knows  more  than  my 
lord  of  Valentenois,  and  Pope  Alexander  the  Sixth  knows 
more,  I  believe,  than  the  devil  himself!  {Looks  on  Gennaro.) 
How  these  young  men  sleep !  {Goes  down  to  L.  h.  corner,  and 
learn  against  a  pillar.)    Ha !  she  comes  ! 

Enter  Lucretia,  L.  TJ.  e.,  magnijkently  dressed,  with 
her  face  masked.  She  looks  hurriedly  rotcnd,  {does 
not  see  Gubetta,)  approaches  Gennaro,  and  gazes 
fondly  and  earnestly  on  his  face  some  moments,  then 
speaks  : 

Lucretia.  He  sleeps !  The  f£te  has  wearied  him !  How 
beautiful !  That  pale  forehead,  those  jetty  locks,  those  long, 
silken  lashes,  those  proud  Ups,  that  noble  form  !  {Looking  tip, 
starts  on  seeing  Gubetta,  L.    Lucretia  goes  down  c.)    Ha,  Gubetta  ! 

Gubetta.  (l.  c.)  Hush !  {Looking  warily  round.)  Speak 
lower,  if  you  please,  signora.  I  am  not  kno-wn  as  Gubetta  here, 
but  as  the  Count  of  Belverana,  a  Castilian  noble.  And  you, 
madam,  do  not  forget  that  you  are  the  Coimtess  of  Poutequad- 
rato,  a  Neapolitan  lady.     We  must  appear  as  strangers  to  eacli 


lUCRETIA    BOUGIA..  Iff 

Other;  «uch  was  your  highncss's  commands.  Remember,  you 
are  not  in  Perrara,  but  in  Venice  ! 

Lucretia.  (n.  c.)  Right;  you  are  quite  right.  But  there 
are  none  within  sound  of  our  voices  now,  save  this  young  sol- 
dier, who  calmly  and  soundly  sleeps.  I  wish  a  moment's  con- 
verse.    {About  to  remove  mask.) 

Gubetta.  Might  I  presume  to  urge  your  highness  not  to  re- 
move your  mask.     Some  one  will  recognize  you. 

Lucretia.  "Well,  and  if  I  atn  recognized,  what  then  ?  What 
have/  to  fear?  Let  him  who  makes  the  discovery  tremble; 
he  has  most  cause. 

Gubetta.  We  are  in  Venice,  signora,  where  you  have  many 
foes,  and  they  are  free !  The  republic  will  guard  your  person 
from  violence,  but  they  cannot  shield  you  from  insult. 

Lucretia.  (^Sadly.)  True,  alas,  too  tiue !  My  very  name 
excites  horror,  wherever  heard. 

Gubetta.  Besides,  it  is  the  middle  of  the  carnival,  and  the 
city  is  filled  with  Romans,  Neapolitans,  Tuscans,  Genoese, 
Lombards,  Romagnols  —  Italians  of  all  Italy. 

Lucretia.  {Moia-nfully.)  And  all  Italy  hates  me !  Ah  me ! 
how  sad  my  fate !  But  it  must  not,  shall  not  longer  be.  I  waa 
not  bom  to  be  the  thing  I  have  been  and  am  ;  and  I  realize  it 
now,  alas !  more  than  I  ever  did.  The  example  of  my  family 
has  made  me  what  I  am.  (Crosses  to  l.  She  paces  the  stage 
hurriedly  a  moment.)     It  shall  be  so  !     Gubetta ! 

Gubetta.     (R.  c.)     Your  highness. 

Lucretia.  Issue  immediate  orders  that  all  be  in  readiness  for 
me  to  visit  Spoletti. 

Gubetta.  Your  commands  have  been  anticipated ;  all  is  now 
prepared  for  your  instant  departure. 

Lucretia.     "WTiat  has  been  done  •with  Galeas  Accailoi  ? 

Gubetta.     In  prison,  only  awaiting  your  order  to  be  hanged. 

Lucretia.     And  Godfrey  Buondelmonte  ? 

Gubetta.  Is  in  his  dungeon.  The  sentence  is  not  yet  signed 
for  his  execution. 

Lucretia.     And  Manfredi  de  Carsola  ? 

Gubetta.     Is  not  yet  strangled. 

iMfrniia.     And  Spadacappa? 


\i  HCUETlA    BuKQlA. 

Gubelta.  According  to  your  orders,  he  ■will  receive  poison  (m 
Easter  day.     It  is  now  carnival ;  it  will  be  Easter  in  six  weeks, 

Lucrctia      And  Pierre  Copra  ? 

Gubetta.  Is  still  Bishop  of  Pesaro,  and  Regent  of  Chancery, 
but  ere  one  month  is  over,  he  will  be  but  a  lunap  of  cold  clay. 
Your  father,  St  Peter,  the  pope,  has,  at  your  request,  given 
.he  order  for  liis  arrest,  and  he  will  be  retained  in  the  chambers 
cf  the  Vatican  until  beheaded. 

Lucrctia.  {^Calmly  and  quietly. )  Gubetta,  ^^Tite  in  haste  to 
the  pope,  and  say  I  crave  pardon  for  Pierre  Copra,  and  then  let 
no  time  be  lost  ere  Accailoi,  Manfredi  de  Carsola,  Buondel- 
monte,  and  Spadacappa  are  set  at  liberty ! 

Gubetta.  'Astonished.')  Pray,  your  highness,  let  me  breathe  ! 
By  heavens,  it  hails  mercy,  and  rains  pardons !  I'm  droTvned 
in  them  !  I  tear  I  shall  never  recover  from  this  terrible  Jiood 
of  good  actions. 

Lueretia.  Be  my  actions  good  or  bad,  indifferent  or  other- 
wise, what  care  you  ?  What  does  it  signify  to  you,  so  long  as  I 
reward  your  service? 

Gubetta.  Ah,  signora,  much !  A  good  action  is  far  more  re- 
pugnant to  my  nature  than  a  bad  or  even  indifferent  one.  I 
like  ease. 

Ltccretia.  (5)ofc7n?^/y.)  Attend  to  me.  I  am  tired  of  thia 
feast  of  blood.  I'll  no  more  of  it.  You  have  long  been  my 
firm  and  faithful  confidant. 

Gubetta.  (R.)  For  fifteen  years  have  I  had  the  honor  of 
being  your  higliness's  faithful  coadjutor. 

Lueretia.  (l.)  Gubetta,  my  old  friend,  my  faithful  accom- 
plice, do  you  not  feel  a  desire  to  change  this  kind  of  life  ?  have 
you  no  wish  to  be  blessed  ?  —  we  who  have  drawn  down  curses 
which,  like  a  mountain's  crushing  weight,  now  presses  on  my 
heart.     Have  you  not  had  enough  of  crime  ? 

Gubetta.  {Coolly.)  I  perceive  plainly  that  you  arc  about  be- 
coming the  most  virtuous  lady  in  Italy  ! 

Lueretia.  Are  not  our  names  the  synonymcs  of  death  —  of 
murder  ?  and  does  not  that  sometimes  trouble  you,  as  it  does 
me? 

Gubetta.     Not  at  all,  la^y.     Often,  us  I  pass  through  th« 


JjVCRl'.TlX    BuUGlA.  17 

Btreets  of  >Spollettc  or  Ferraia,  I  catch  the  suppressed  execra- 
tions of  the  citizens  near  me.  "  There  goes  Gubetta !  "  "  Gu- 
betta !  "  cries  a  second,  "  the  poisoner  !  "  "  Gubetta  —  poniard  ! 
Gubetta — gibbet!"  exclaims  a  third;  and  '♦  Cut-thjoat !  as- 
sassin ! "  with  other  delicate  and  complimentary  terms  pass 
around;  while  others,  who  dare  not  wag  their  vile  tongues, 
Bpcak  quite  as  emphatically  with  their  eyes.  But  what  care  I 
for  this  ?  I  laugh  at  them,  and  with  a  look  can  make  even  the 
boldest  tremble.  It  is  my  reputatio)i,  and  as  useful  to  me  in  my 
calling  as  is  bravery  to  a  soldier,  or  devotion  to  priest. 

Lucretia.  But  see  you  not  that  this  reputation  might  excite 
hatred  and  honvr  in  some  heart,  where  you  might  wish  for  lovef 

Gubetta.  There  are  but  lew  in  the  world  whom  one  can  love, 
and  they  are  not  always  those  whom  one  should  love. 

Lucretia.  Gubetta,  Gubetta,  be  silent ;  you  do  not  compre- 
hend this  heart.     There  is  even  now  in  Italy  —  this  fated  Italy 

—  one  pure  and  noble  heart  —  a  heart  throbbing  with  high  and 
holy  feelings  —  brave,  noble,  daring  —  though  of  unknown  ori- 
gin, for  whom — God  knows  its  truth! — I  would  resign  all 

—  life,  fame,  every  tiling  !  O  !  to  inspire  his  breast  with  one 
gleam  of  tenderness,  one  ray  of  love  for  me  —  a  miserable, 
guilty  woman — hated,  abhorred,  cursed  of  man,  and  spurned 
by  Heaven  —  a  very  slave,  though  the  proud  mistress  of  thou- 
sands !  O,  could  I  hope  but  one  day  to  feel  that  pure  heart 
throb  free  and  joyously  against  my  own,  I  would  welcome  tor- 
ture, chains,  or  death,  to  win  it !  Do  you  now  comprehend 
me  ?  Can  you  now  conceive  my  anxiety  to  efface  the  past,  to 
remove  the  plague  spot  from  my  name,  and  in  place  of  the  in- 
famy which  all  Italy  now  associates  with  my  character,  win 
one  of  penitence,  virtue,  and  glory  ?     {Lucretia  crosses  to  ii.) 

Gubetta.  (l.)  Madam !  madam  !  upon  what  strange  herb 
has  your  highness  trodden  to-day,  thus  to  change  your  very 
nature  ?     'Tis  droll,  in  sooth  ! 

Lucretia.  Beware!  beware,  sir!  Jest  not  with  me!  This 
is  no  new  fancy ;  it  is  not  evanescent.  But  when  a  weak  mor- 
tal if  hurried  on  in  a  current  of  crime,  it  is  not  easy  for  her  to 
■top  when  and  where  she  would  Two  spirits  have  for  yean 
2* 


18  LUCaETIA    liOliOIA. 

-'Ijeen  struggling  here,  within  this  bosom  —  a  good  and  an  er>A 
^ue.     God  grant  the  good  one  triumph  at  last ! 

She  crosses  to  L.,  turns  up  stage,  and  doion  again. 

Gubetta.  All  is  now  explained.  All  is  now  clear  that  before 
puzzled  me.  One  month  ago,  your  highness  left  your  husband, 
my  lord  Don  Alphonso  D'Este,  with  an  apparent  intention  of 
visiting  Spoletto.  But  under  a  Neapolitan  name  you  came 
dii-ect  to  Venice,  and  I,  your  faithful  servitor,  am  directed  to 
take  the  garb  and  name  of  a  Spaniard  ;  to  this  is  added  a  strict 
injunction  neither  to  speak  to  or  of  you,  or  give  sign  of  recog- 
nition, should  we  meet.  You  visit  fetes,  operas,  balls,  and, 
availing  yourself  of  the  privilege  of  the  carnival,  go  ever 
masked,  while  it  is  but  seldom  you  speak  to  any  one,  and  but  a 
word  at  a  time  even  to  me,  and  that  hvirriedly  and  in  secret. 
And  now,  lo  !  all  this  mummery  ends  in  a  sermon  !  —  a  hom- 
ily, madam,  from  you  to  me!  Is't  not  strange?  You  have 
changed  name,  dress,  rank,  residence,  bearing,  and  now  it 
seems  your  very  nature  is  also  changed.  This  is  carrying  the 
carnival  to  an  extreme !  Crossing  to  l. 

Lucretia.  {On  his  R.  She  grasps  ids  arm,  and  draws  him 
towards  Geimaro,  and  points  to  hint.)     Do  you  see  that  youth? 

Gubetta.  (l.  c.)  lie  is  no  stranger  to  me !  He  sleeps  soundly 
noic,  but  could  sleep  still  sounder. 

Lucretia.   (c.)     Is  he  not  strangely  beautiful  r 

Gubetta.  He  looks  well  enough  for  a  soldier,  and  would  look 
better  were  his  eyes  not  closed.  A  face  like  that  without  eyes 
is  like  a  palace  without  windows.  They  come  down. 

Lucretia.  (e.)  Ah,  you  cannot  dream,  Gubetta,  how  ten- 
derly I  love  him ! 

Gubetta.  (l.)  No  ;  that  is  a  dream  better  suited  for  your 
royal  husband !  But  your  highness  loses  time.  That  young 
soldier  is  reported  to  be  in  love  with  a  fair  young  girl  called 
Fiametta. 

Lucretia.  {Eagerly.)  And  the  giii  —  does  she  return  his  love* 
Speak ! 

Gubetta.     Most  truly,  it  is  said. 

Lucretia.     Thank  Heaven  !    O,  hew  I  pray  for  his  happiness] 

She  goes  up  to  Gennaro. 


LUCRETI.V    nORGIA.  Ijf 

Gubetta.  Stranger  still !  another  change  !  I  imagined  those 
who  loved  to  be  jealous,  and  I  never  had  cause  to  consider 
your  highness  an  exception  to  the  rule,  to  say  the  least. 

Lncretia.  {Gazing  on  Geimaro.)  What  a  noble  figure!  and 
his  countenance  —  so  proud,  and  yet  so  melancholy !  Leave 
me,  Gubetta. 

Gubetta-  {Crossiiuj  to  K.)  I  obey  your  highness's  wishes. 
She's  metamorphosed  so  strangely  that  I  scarcely  know  her ; 
and  it  will  puzzle  even  her  holy  father,  the  pope,  or  his  oa\ti 
brother,  the  devil,  to  recognize  her  now,  I  fancy  ! 

Exit  Gubetta,  R.  1  E. 
LucRETiA  remains  gazing  a  mo)ne7it,  then,  perceiving 
the  absence  of  Gubetta,  she  looks  around  to  see  if 
she  is  alone,  then  speaks  : 
Luoretia.     This,  then,  is  he.     At  last  I  am  so  blest  as  to  be 
pennitted  to  gaze  on  liis  dear  face  without  peril.      Dear,  O, 
how  dear,  thou  art  to  me ! 

Pause.     Enter  Duke  D'Este,  l.  u.  e.,  accomjianied 

by  lluSTiGHELLo,  both  masked  and  cloaked.      They 

watch  her  motions,  unseen  by  her. 

L  itrefia.     O  Heaven  !  spare  me  the  anguish  of  ever  bein  g 

scorned  or  hated  by  him,  for  thou   knowest  he  is  all  under 

heaven  that  I  love  !     I  dare  not  remove  my  mask,  yet  I  must 

wipe  away  these  flowing  tears. 

She  takes  off  her  mask,  kisses   Gennaro's   hand,  and 

bends  over  him;  then,  kneeling,  clasps  her  haiids,  as 

if  in  prayer. 

Duke  D'Este.  {At  back  L.  u.  e.)     That  is  sufficient.    My  visit 

to  Venice  was  to  satisfy  myself  of  her  infidelity,  and  1  have 

this  night  beheld  enough  to  convince  me  that  my  suspicions 

are  just.     I  will  now  return  to  Ferrara.     That  young  man  is 

her  lovei^ !    Who  is  he,  Rustighello  ? 

Bustighelb.  He  is  called  Captain  Gennaro,  a  soldier  of  for- 
tune, brave  and  generous ;  a  man,  too,  without  parents  or  kin, 
80  far  as  /le  knows.  He  is  at  present  in  the  service  of  tho  re- 
public of  Venice. 

Ditke  D'Este.     He  must  be  brought  to  Ferrara. 


20  LUCKETIA    BORGIA. 

Rristighello.  He  will  proceed  there  of  his  a\n>.  accord  the 
day  after  to-morrow,  with  several  of  his  comrades,  who  are 
members  of  the  embassy  of  Tripolo  and  Grimani. 

Duke  D'Estc.  'Tis  well,  'tis  well;  he  falls  easily  into  the 
toils.     We  can  now  return. 

Exeunt  D'  Estc  and  RustigheUo,  L.  XT.  E. 
Lucreiia.     O  Heaven !  may  there  be  as  much  of  happiness 
in  store  for  him  as  there  has  been  of  misery  endured  by  me ! 

tihe  rises,  looks  anxiously  round,  kneels,  and  bends  over 

Gen?iaro,  parts   the   hair  from  his  forehead,   and 

fondly  presses  her  lips  to  it,      Gennaro  starts  and 

grasps  her  R.  hand  before  she  can  rise,  and,  partly 

rising,  exclaims  : 

Gennaro.     A  woman  !  a  kiss !  by  my  faith,  an  adventure ! 

{They  come  down  stage.)     Happy  indeed  must  those  slumbers  be 

which  beauty  guards.     On  my  honor,  were  you  a  queen  and  I 

a  poet,  this  would  be  an   adventure  for  Alain   Chartier,  the 

troubadour  of  Provence.     You  have  the  grace,  the  bearing  of 

a  queen,  but  1,  alas  !  am  no  poet ;  1  am  but  a  soldier. 

Lucretia.  (L.  c.  With  dignity.)  Captain  Gennaro,  leave  me, 
leave  me.  Some  one  approaches.  In  Heaven's  name,  do  not, 
do  not  follow ! 

Gennaro.   (c.)     Any  command  but  that,  and  1  am  your  slave. 
Lucretia.   (l.  c.)     Do  not  let  your  wild  companions  see  me,  I 
entieat ;  and  as  you  hope  to  see  me  more,  follow  me  not  now. 

Exit,  L.  2  E. 
Gennaro.     "As  I  hope  to  sec  her  more,"  I'll  not  lose  sight 
of  her  now.  Exit  Gen7i,aro,  following,  L.  2  e. 

Enter  Jeppo,  R.  v.  e.,  as  they  exeunt.     Catches  a  glimpse  of  them. 

Jeppo.  Halloa !  Gennaro !  What  form  is  that  which  he 
pursues  ?  Can  it  be  she  ?  It  is,  it  is,  by  heav  ens  !  That  woman 
at  Venice !  What  does  she  here  ?  {Entei  Mafpio,  r.  u.  e.) 
lla,  Maffio ! 

Maffio,  {Doton  11.  c.)     How  now?  what  is  the  matter  ? 

Jeppo,  (L.  c.)  She  is  here  !  —  that  woman  of  whom  we  wer« 
speaking !  —  she  that 

Maffio.     Ha  !  are  you  sure  ? 


L'JCKEllA    BORGIA.  21 

Jeppo.  Quite ;  as  I  am  that  tliis  Ls  the  palace  of  Barbarigo, 
and  not  that  of  Labia. 

Majfio.  She  has  an  affair  of  gaUantr^'  -with  Gimnaro,  then  ! 
He  must  be  saved.  It  is  imperiously  necessary  to  draw  my 
brother  from  the  spidiu-'s  web  which  that  dangerous  woman  is 
weavmg  round  liim.  Quick !  let  us  seek  and  inform  our 
frieutls.  Exeu7it,  R.  u.  E. 

Gondolas  pass  at  back;  nnisic  plaj/s  from  them.  Re- 
enter Gennaro,  holditKj  the  hand  of  Lucretia,  l. 
3  E.     She  is  now  closely  masked  again^ 

Lncretia.  (R.)  The  terrace  is  now  deserted,  and  I  can  un- 
mask with  bafety.  I  wish  you  to  see  my  face,  Genneuro.  (  Un- 
masks.) 

Gennaro.  (l.  With  rapture.)  Beautiful  !  Ah,  signora,  yoii 
are  very  beautiful ! 

Lncretia.  Look,  Gennaro,  and  look  earnestly ;  then  tell  me 
you  do  not  regard  my  features  with  horror. 

Gennaro.  Honor,  lady  ?  On  the  contrary,  my  heart  invol- 
untarily draws  me  towards  you.  (^Attempts  to  clasp  her.  She 
avoids  him.) 

Lttcretia.     Tell  me,  O,  tell  me  truly,  could  you  love  me  ? 

Gennaro.  "Why  should  I  not  love  you,  beautiful  as  thou  art  ? 
But,  frankly,  my  heart  is  not  my  o-vvn  ;  I  love  another. 

Lucretia.     I  know  who  she  is  —  the  fair  Piametta. 

Gennaro.     No,  lady,  O  no ! 

Lucretia.     Ah !  who,  then  ? 

Gennaro.     My  Mother  ! 

Lucretia.     Your  mother !  your  mother!  can  it  be  that  you     - 
love  her  above  all  others  ?  "  '-^_f 

Gfi7inaro.  Ay,  'tis  true;  next  my  God,  I  adore  my  mother!  «=^^-P 
And  yet  I  have  never  seen  her  face,  or  heard  her  voice,  or  felt  ' 
her  SDft  embrace,  or  the  warmth  of  her  holy  kiss  upon  my  lips. 
How  strange  is  the  feeling  that  impels  me  towards  you,  and 
makes  me  speak  ,of  that  which  I  never  yet  imparted  even  to 
my  foster  brother,  MafRo  Oisini!  But  it  seems  as  if  we  had 
met  before  —  I  know  not  when  or  where.  It  is  as  a  dream  to 
me      But  listen  to  me,  lady.     Of  my  origin  I  nothing  know. 


22  LTJCllETIA    BOEGIA. 

I  was  reared  to  the  age  of  seven  years  bj'  a  fisherman  of  Cala* 
bria,  whom  I  had  ever  looked  upon  as  my  father.  It  was  at 
that  period  he  informed  me  he  was  not  my  sire  —  that  he  could 
not  claim  that  sacred  title.  Some  time  after  this,  a  cavalier, 
with  vizor  closed,  brought  me  a  letter,  and  then,  ■without  dis- 
closing his  face  or  name,  departed.  That  letter  was  from  my 
mother.  Ah,  how  full  of  love  and  tenderness  was  that  letter  ! 
It  apprised  me  that  I  was  of  noble  birth,  of  ancient  family,  but 
no  more.  She  said  that  she  herself  was  unhappy.  Alas,  my 
dear  mother ! 

Lucretia.  (  With  great  emotion.')     Dear,  dear  Gennaro ! 

Gennaro.  Smce  that  day  I  have  been  an  adventurer,  be- 
cause, being  noble  by  birth,  I  wished  to  make  myself  truly  so 
by  my  sword.  I  have  roved  over  all  Italy,  to  discover  the 
secret  of  my  birth,  but  in  vain.  Yet,  no  matter  where  I  am, 
the  first  of  every  month  the  same  messenger  brings  me  a  letter 
from  my  mother,  receives  my  answer,  and  departs.  "We  can- 
not even  converse  together,  for  he  is  deaf  and  dumb. 

Lucretia.     And  you  know  nothing  of  your  family  ? 

Gennaro.  I  only  know  I  have  a  mother  that  loves  me,  and 
is  herself  unhappy. 

Lucretia.     And  her  letters  —  what  have  you  done  with  them  ? 

Gennaro.     Here!     (^Laying  his  hand  tipon  his  breast.)     Here  I 

have  them,  next  my  heart !     The  letters  of  my  mother  are  the 

only  breastplate  I  ever  wear.     Here  is  her  last   letter,  lady. 

Gc7inaro  takes  a  letter  from  his  bosom,  kisses  it,  and 

hands  it  to  Lucretia.     She  opens  and  reads  it. 

Lucretia.   (^Reads.) 

"  Seek  not  to  know  me,  my  dear  GcTinaro,  until  the  day  which  I 
shall  appoint.  I  am  ever  surrounded  by  those  who  would  destroy 
mc,  as  they  have  your  poor  father.  The  secret  of  your  birth,  my 
child,  must  for  the  present  be  confined  to  myself.  I  fear  your  during 
spirit  would  start  forth  and  blazon  to  the  world  an  origin  so  illustri- 
ous as  yours.  You  cannot  understand  the  perils  by  which  you  are 
surrounded.  O,  be  content,  then,  for  a  little  tim*,  to  know  that  you 
have  a  mother  who  adores  you,  and  who  watches  night  and  day,  un- 
ceasingly, over  your  safety.  The  time  will  come,  dearest,  when  yoa 
may,  without  danger,  know  all ;  until  then,  as  you  regard  your  own 


LUCliETIA    BORGIA.  23 

life,  ami  the  life  of  her  who  gave  you  exisrtence,  seek  not  to  know 
more.  My  son  —  my  own  Gennaro  —  adieit !  My  heart  beats  wildly 
when  I  think  of  thee !  my  eyes  fill  with  unrestrained  tears  of  ten- 
derness, and  my  liand  falters  as  I  trace  these  lines  for  thy  dear  eyes 
to  gaze  upon,  while  language  fails  to  express  the  depth,  the  fathom- 
less depth,  of  my  love  for " 

She  pauses,  overcome  tcith  emotion,  hands  the  letter 
back  to  him,  which  he  again  kisses,  and  places  in  his 
bosom. 

Gennaro.  Ah,  madam,  how  tenderly  you  have  read  my  poor 
mother's  words  !  You  weep,  too.  Bless  you,  bless  you,  lady, 
for  this  kind  sympathy.  You  can  understand  now  why  I  do 
not  yield  myself  up  to  pleasure,  like  my  gay  comrades.  It  ia 
because  my  heart  is  always  full ;  one  thought  alone  possesses 
it  —  wiy  mother!  Give  me  her  —  to  console,  to  avenge,  to  serve 
—  and  then  I  can  think  of  love.  I  am  a  soldier  of  fortune,  it 
is  true,  but  I  fight  no  cause  but  a  just  one,  for  I  live  in  the 
faith  and  cheering  hope  of  one  day  laying  at  my  mother's  feet 
a  sword  bright,  unsullied  by  a  single  breath.  I  have  ever  re- 
fused the  princely  offers  proffered  me  to  enter  the  service  of  the 
infamous  Lucretia  Borgia,  but 

Lucretia.  Gennaro,  Gennaro,  hold  !  you  know  not  what  you 
say.  O,  you  should  pity  the  bad,  though  you  condemn  their 
deeds. 

Gennaro.  Should  we,  then,  ps'ty  those  who  are  themselves 
so  pitiless  ?  But  let  us  speak  no  more  of  her.  1  have  told  you 
my  history ;  tell  me,  lady,  who  you  are. 

Lucretia.  An  unhappy  woman,  who  loves  you  purely,  truly, 
holily. 

Gennaro.     And  your  name,  lady  ? 

Lucretia.  Ask  me  no  more  now;  I  must  not,  dare  not 
answer. 

Maffio.  {Outside,  R.  u.  e.)     Nay,  Jeppo,  follow  me;  I  insist. 

Lucretia.  {Crossing  to  l.  h.)  Great  Heaven!  what  is  this? 
I  cannot  avoid  them ;  it  is  too  late ! 

Gennaro.     Fear  not,  lady  ;  I  ■w'ill  defend  you  with  my  life. 
She  hastiiy  resumes  her  mask ;  then  enter,  R.  3  E.,  Map- 

FIO,    .JhPPO,    ASCAMO,  OloFERXO,    ApoSTOLO,  flrf- 


M  l.UCUETIA    r.OllGIA. 

tendants  with  torches,  lords,  ladies,  pages,  SfC,  3jC., 
as  from  the  palace  within.  Maffio  a^id  friends  range 
down  on  R.,  Luciietia,  l.,  Gennaro,  l.  c.  Others 
group  above  and  around,  intently  observing  all. 

Mafjio.  Gennaro,  know  you  to  whom  you  are  speaking  of 
love? 

Lttcrttia.  {Aside.")     Just  Heaven,  spare  him  and  me  1 

Maskers  at  back. 

Apcitolo.   Oi-OFERNO.   AscANio.  Jeppo.    Maffio.   Gennaro.   Lucbbtia 
(.  H.  I.,  a. 

Maffio.     Behold  her  face,  and  then {Advancing.) 

Gennaro.  {Draicing  his  stoord.)  Maffio  Orsini,  stand  back ! 
You  are  my  fi-iend ;  you  are  all  friends  of  mine ;  but,  by 
heaven,  who  touches  that  mask,  or  lays  finger  upon  this  lady, 
save  ip.  kindness,  dies  !  Be  she  what  she  may,  she  is  a  woman, 
and  my  sword  and  life  are  pledged  to  her  defence. 

Majjfio.  We  wish  not  to  wrong  her.  Permit  us  to  introduce 
ourselves. 

Gennaro.  {Pausing  a  moment.)  Well,  be  it  so.  {Retires  up  a 
little,  c.) 

Maffio.  {Crossing  to  Lucretia.)  Madam,  I  am  Maffio  Orsini, 
brother  to  the  Duke  of  Gravina,  whom  you  caused  to  be 
stabbed  in  his  dungeon. 

Jeppo.  {Crossing  to  her.)  Madam,  I  am  Jeppo  Liveretto, 
brother  of  Liveretto  Vittelli,  whom  your  ruffians  strangled 
whQe  he  slept. 

Ascatiio.  (Crossing  to  her.)  Madam,  I  am  Ascanio  Pctrucca, 
cousin  of  Pandolpho  Pctrucca,  Lord  of  Scionne,  who  was 
assassinated  by  your  order,  that  you  might  seize  his  fair  city*. 

Gennaro.  {In  c,  a  little  up.)  Gracious  Heavens!  what 
means  all  this  ? 

Oloferno.  {Crossing  to  her.)  Madam,  I  am  called  Olofemo 
Vittellozzo,  nephew  of  I  ago  D'Appiani,  whom  you  poisoned  at 
a  f6te,  to  pillage  his  lordly  castle  of  Piombino. 

Apostolo.  {Crossing  to  her.)  Madam,  you  beheaded  Don 
Francisco  Gazella,  maternal  uncle  of  Don  Alphonse  of  Arra- 


J.VCHETIA    nOUGIA..  */S 

gon,  your  third  Imsband,  whom  you  caused  to  be  murdered  on 
the  grand  staircase  of  St.  Peter's.  I  am  cousin  of  one  victim, 
and  son  of  the  other. 

A'.  B.  Each  (jentleman,  after  addressing  I^ucuetia, 
passes  up  the  stage,  and  falls  duicn  to  his  former 
situation  on  ii.,  excepting  Jeppo,  loho  remains  l.  c, 
tiear  Gkxxajio. 

Lucretia.  (L.  Aside.)  (),  patience,  patience!  must  1  bear  alj 
this  ? 

Gennaro,  (c.)     In  Heaven's  name,  who  is  this  woman? 

Maffio.  (r.  c.)  And  now  that  we  have  proclaimed  our  names 
and  titles,  and  stated  our  claims  to  your  regard,  permit  us  to 
reveal  your  name. 

Lucretia,  No,  no,  no!  (^Crossing  to  C,  and  falling  on  her 
knees.)  Have  pity !  spare  me !  Have  compassion,  though  / 
merit  none ;  but  O,  do  not  speak  !  Plunge  me  into  your  deep- 
est dungeon,  and  proclaim  it  there !  shriek  it  among  howling 
fiends  —  any  where  —  but  not  before  Gennaro  ! 

Maffio.  {^Drawing  off  her  mask.)  Let  us  see  if  you  can  yet 
olush  at  your  crimes.     (^She  starts  up.) 

Gennaro.  i^Enraged,  and  draicing  his  sicord.)  Maffio  Orsini ! 
thus  to  insult  a  woman !     No  more,  but  draw  ! 

Jeppo.  (L.  H.  of  Gennaro.)  Gennaro,  {laying  his  hand  on  his 
arm,)  you  know  not  what  you  do !  This  woman,  for  whom 
you  would  risk  your  life,  is  an  assassin  and  an  adulteress ! 

Maffio.     And  her  name 

Lucretia.  Spare  me  !  O,  spare  me  this !  As  yoic  hope  for 
mercy,  spare  me  ! 

Maffio.  Her  name,  I  say  —  'tis  a  spell  to  empty  hell  withal, 
and  people  earth  with  devils  !     Her  name  is 

Lucretia.  (^Turning  to  him.)  Gennaro,  do  not,  do  not  listen  ! 
I  entreat,  on  my  knees,  as  thou  dost  revere  thy  7nothcr,  deal 
Gennaro  ! 

Gennaro  drops  his  sicord  at  the  word  "  Motkbb," 
and  clasps  his  hands. 

JCaffio.     Her  name  is  Lucretia  Borgia  ! 

Gennaro.     Lucretia  Borgia  !  horror  1 
3 


56  T-UCRETIA    BORGIA. 

He  casta  Jitr  from  hint  with  horror,  while  she,  with  a 
shriek  of  des2>air,  starts  up,  advances  towards  him  a 
utep,  and  falls  fainting  at  his  feet. 

TABLEAU. 
Serrants.  Serranta. 

Lords.  Pages.  Pages.  Lordi. 

Ladies. 

o,c>>'  Qtdch  Drop.  *^ 


DuKS  and  Lvckbtia  ehangt  drt»$. 


ACT   II. 

Scene  I.  —  Grand  Square  in  Ferrara;  on  ihe  B..  a  Palace,  xoith 
a  latticed  Balcony,  and  a  grand  Escutcheon,  of  Stone,  and  with 
armorial  Bearings,  over  which,  in  bold  relief,  o?»  a  tohite  surface 
of  marble,  is  the  word  "  Bokgia,"  in  large  gold  letters.  On  the 
L.  H.  is  a  handsome  Edifice,  opening  upon  the  Square.  Streets 
beyond,  with  Domes,  Toicers,  Steeples,  ^c,  ifc.  A  large  and 
small  Door  to  Palace. 

Enter  from  v.  d.  of  palace,  Lucketia  aiid  Gubetta. 

Lucretia.  (l.)     Is  all  prepared  for  the  night,  Gubetta  ? 

Gubetta.  (R.)     All  is  quite  ready,  your  highness. 

Lucretia.     All  fve  of  them  will  be  present  ? 

Gubetta.    They  axe  all  invited,  madam. 

Lucretia.  {^IVith  bitterness.)  They  have  most  cruelly  out- 
raged my  feelings ! 

Gubetta.  (^Coolly.')  J  was  not  present.  Did  aJi  proclaim  your 
name? 

Lucretia.  They  insulted  me,  mocked  my  sufferings,  vilified 
my  character,  pubhcly  tore  off  my  mask,  and  exposed  my  face, 
denounced  my  name  with  every  epithet  of  ignominy  —  and  all 
oefore  him,  of  all  others  in  this  wide  world  — before  Gennaro  ! 
Let  me  remember  that  !     (^Crosses  to  lu) 

Gubetta.  (l.  n.)  Fools,  fools,  to  come  to  Ferrara,  then,  I 
trow !  But  I  forgot  they  could  not  do  otherwise,  having  been 
appointed  by  the  senate  members  of  the  embassy,  which,  by  the 
way,  arrived  here  yesterday. 

Lucretia.  Any  thing  but  that  I  would  have  borne.  But 
that  he — Gennaro  —  my  life's  last  hope — he  now  hates,  de- 
spises me  !  And  they  have  caused  it  all !  Let  me  not  forget 
it !     O  God,  revenge  shall  yet  be  mine,  be  sure  it  shall ! 

Crosses  to  L.  h. 

Gubetta.  (r.)  I  rejoice  to  hear  it ;  I  shall  again  be  busy;  1 
like  it. 

(27^ 


28  LUCEETIA    EORGIA. 

Lucretia.  (l.)  My  very  nature  seemed  changed  ;  my  re- 
solves were  pure,  my  aspirations  holy.  I  could  have  borne  aU, 
ay,  ALi/  hut  that  —  his  hate  !  They  should  have  \vrui;g  my 
heart,  and  I  would  have  bowed  submissively  before  heaven,  so 
he  had  still  thought  kindly  of  me.  But  to  poison  him  against 
me  more  deeply  than  ever  !  O  heaven  !  the  very  thought  calls 
from  the  centre  of  my  heart,  and  my  swelling  brain  throbs 
■with  anguish,  while  the  dark  spirit  of  despair  shrieks  in  my 
■  «ar,  revenge  !  and  it  shall  have  it  !     ( Crosses  to  R.) 

Gubetta.  (l.)  Good  !  good  !  I  like  this  !  You  are  yourself 
again  !  Your  phantasies  of  mercy  have  left  you,  and  you  act 
naturally  once  more.  I  am  now  at  ease  with  your  highness.  As 
fire  opposes  water  —  light,  darkness  —  and  black  differs  from 
white  —  so  stand  /  opposed  to  the  so-styled  good  and  virtuous. 

Lucretia.   (K.)     Did  Germaro  come  here  with  the  others  ? 

Gubetta.     He  did,  your  highness. 

Lucretia.  {^Sternly.)  Gubetta,  on  your  life  see,  I  charge  yon, 
that  no  harm  comes  to  him !  If  a  hair  of  his  is  touched,  if  he 
stands  in  peril,  and  you  avert  it  not,  beware  the  waked  wrath 
of  Lucretia  Borgia  !  Would,  would  I  could  but  see  him  once 
more ! 

Gubetta,  That  you  can  do  at  any  hour.  I  induced  his  valet 
to  take  that  house  {poiiits  to  l.  h.)  for  his  master.  Your  bal- 
cony commands  a  view  of  it,  and,  concealed  from  sight,  j'ou 
can  see  him  go  in  and  out  as  often  as  you  choose  to  enjoy  that 
ineffable  delight. 

Lucretia.     Nay,  I  would  speak  with  him. 

Gubetta.  Nothing  is  easier,  signora.  Send  Astolfo  with  a 
message  that  your  highness,  to-day,  at  a  certain  hour,  would 
see  him  at  the  palace,  on  business  of  high  import. 

Lucrelia.  {^Thoughtfully.')  Yes,  I  could  do  that,  but  would 
he  come  ? 

Gubetta.  He  could  be  caused  to  obey.  But  go  in,  your  high- 
ness, for  I  momentarily  expect  them  to  pass  this  way.  It  were 
better  that  they  saw  you  not.     I  will  meet  them. 

Lucretia.     They  still  consider  you  the  Count  of  Belverana  ? 

Gubetta.     Ay ;  I  have  convinced  them  on  that  point  past 
doubt.     I  have  borrowed  tl.eir  money. 


ruCUEltA    BOKUIA..  30 

Lueretia,    Borrowed  their  money  !  and  -why  ? 
-  Gubeita.     To    have    them  in   my  power.      Nothing   binds 
friends  so  fast  as  money  borrowed  or  lent ;  and  it  is  so  decidedly 
Spanish,  as  an  air  of  poverty,  while  at  the  same  time  we  seize 
the  devil  by  the  tail. 

Lucreiia.     Silence,  sir  !     This  is  no  time  for  jests.     But  see, 
they  are  coming  down  yonder  street,  and  Gennaro  is  with  them. 
Gubetta,  I  charge  you,  guard  from  harm  or  danger  Gennaro  ! 
Exit  Lucretia  into  palace,  u.  D. 

Gubetta.  "Who  the  devil  is  this  Gennaro,  in  whom  she  takes 
Buch  an  interest  ?  and  what  the  devil  does  she  design  doing 
Avith  him  ?  It  is  quite  plain  I  am  not  in  all  the  secrets  of  this 
fair  lady.  It  touches  my  curiosity.  In  faith,  she  has  not  re- 
posed her  usual  conlidence  in  me  in  this  matter.  Madam  Lu- 
cretia is  becoming  platonic.  Well,  I  am  astonished  at  nothing. 
But  here  are  the  young  bloods  of  Venice.  They  are  not  over 
wise,  to  leave  the  free  state  of  Venice,  and  come  to  Ferrai-a, 
after  having  offended  the  Duchess  of  Ferrara,  Were  /  they,  I 
should  have  stayed  away.  But  young  people  will  be  rash.  The 
throat  of  a  tigiess  is  of  all  sublunary  places  that  into  which 
they  precipitate  themselves  most  eagerly.  W^ell,  let  the  fooh 
have  their  way.  Retires  behind  a  pillar  of  the  balcony. 

Enter,  l.  u.  e.,  Maffio,  Don  Apostolo,  Jeppo,  As- 
CANio,  Olofekno,  a7id  Gennako.      They  converse 
in  a  low  tone,  and  with  inquietude. 
Apostolo.    Jeppo.    Maffio.    Ascanio.    Oloferno.    Gennaro. 

B.  H.  1.  U. 

Maffio.  Say  what  you  please,  friends,  but  we  are  not  very 
safe  here  ia  Ferrara,  after  having  insulted  the  Duchess,  Lucre- 
tia Borgia. 

Apostolo.  But  what  could  we  do  ?  The  signory  of  Venice 
appointed  us,  and  their  fiat  is  imperative,  were  it  to  extermi- 
nate one's  own  family.  There  is  no  disguising  it,  however, 
that  Lucretia  Borgia  is  to  be  dreaded,  and  she  is  supreme  in 
Ferrara. 

Jeppo.  She  dare  not  harm  us  ;  we  are  in  the  service  of  the 
republic  of  Venice,  and  form  a  part  of  her  embassy.  Let  this 
3* 


•i) 


30  LUCUETIA    BORGIA. 

duchess  touch  a  hair  of  our  heads,  and  the  doge  would  instanf;- 
ly  declare  war  ;  and  Ferrara  would  not  willingly  rub  against 
Venice  now. 

Maffio.  Ah,  you  may  be  stretched  at  full  length  in  your 
sepulchre,  without  touching  a  hair  of  your  head.  It  is  by 
voison  the  Borgia  family  effect  their  purposes  !  —  a  poison  of  so 
subtle  a  nature  that  no  medicine  on  earth  can  remedy.  It 
IS  sure  and  deadly,  noiseless,  and  better  than  the  axe  or  the 
poniard.  These  Borgias  have  poisons  which  kill  in  a  daj',  a 
month,  or  year,  as  they  please.  It  is  by  it  they  impart  a  more 
pleasing  flavor  to  their  wines,  so  that  the  drinker  more  eagerly 
drains  his  cup,  and,  with  joy  and  rapture  in  his  face,  falls  dead. 
Sometimes  a  foe  of  the  Borgias  falls  into  a  state  of  melancholy, 
his  skin  wrinkles,  his  eyes  sink  deep  in  the  head,  his  hair  turns 
white,  the  teeth  fall  out,  his  knees  are  weak,  and  while  he 
breathes,  you  hear  the  death  rattle  in  his  tluroat.  Sleep  for- 
sakes him ;  he  shivers  in  the  noonday  sun  with  cold,  and  youth 
puts  on  the  appearance  of  old  age.  He  dies,  and  then  it  is  recol- 
lected that  he  drank  a  cup  of  Cyprus  wine  at  the  palace  of  a 
Borgia  ! 

Ascanio.  This  is  horrible !  It  were  well  that  we  quit  Fer- 
rara. Our  ambassadors  have  an  audience  of  the  duke  to-day, 
and  we  shall  then  be  at  liberty  to  leave.  I  would  we  had 
never  come. 

Jeppo.  Well,  to-morrow  we  can  go.  I  am  invited  to  sup 
with  the  Princess  Negroni,  with  whom  I  am  almost  in  love, 
and  I  would  not  fly  from  the  prettiest  woman  in  all  Ferrara. 

Oloferno.     The  Princess  Negroni !  I  am  invited  too  ! 

Maffio.     And  I  ! 

Apostolo.     And  I ! 

Ascanio,     And  I ! 

Guhetta.  And  so  am  I,  gentlemen.  {Coming  forxoard  from 
behind  pillar.) 

Jeppo.  Aha!  the  Count  of  Belverana !  {Shaking  his  ha}id.) 
Good  !  we'll  all  go  together,  and  a  merry  night  vre'll  make  it ! 

Guhetta.  {Crossing  to  Jcpjyo.)  May  his  holiness  have  you  in 
sacred  keeping  many  years,  Signor  Jeppo. 

iiaffia.     {In  a  low  tone,  to  Jeppo.)     Let  us  not  go  to  this 


LUCKETIA.    BORGIA.  31 

fearSt  to-nigljit.     I  have  a  presentiment  of  ill;  and,  besides,  1 
distrust  this  amiable  count. 

Jeppo.  Pooh  !  he  Avas  my  father's  companion  in  arms !  But 
do  as  you  please ;  /  shall  go. 

LuciiETiA.  appears  on  the  balcony,  R,,  listening. 

Ascanio.  (  To  Gemicuv,  who  is  mueing,  L.  u.)  Speak  !  are 
you  not  invited,  captain  r 

Gennaro.  No  ;  the  princess  would  not  notiee  a  poor  soldier 
like  myself.  But  she  would  have  found  me  bad  company  at 
the  best. 

Maffio,  {Crossing  to  Gennaro.)  Ah!  I  suspect  you  have  a 
rendezvous  d'amour  ;  is  it  not  so  ? 

Jeppo.  Apropos !  tell  us,  what  said  the  fair  Lucretia  to  you 
the  other  evening  ?  She  is  in  love  with  j-ou,  'tis  clear.  Masked 
face,  but  a  naked  heait ! 

Maffio.  And,  my  brother,  you  have  taken  lodgings  directly 
opposite  to  hers.     Ah,  Gennaro,  Gennaro  ! 

Jtpjpo.  Take  care,  Gennaro,  for  they  do  say  the  duke  is  not 
a  little  jealous  of  his  beautiful  wife  \  Come,  enlighten  us  poor 
devils  about  her  —  do  J 

Omues.     Ay,  do  !     Sigiior  Gennaro  in  love  1     Ila,  ha,  lia  ! 

Gentiaro.  Gentlemen,  I  have  borne  your  raillery  thus  long, 
because  we  are  sworn  iriend:s ;  but  if  you  couple  my  name 
again  with  that  of  the  infamous  Lucretia  Borgia,  you  will  see 
swords  iiashirig  in  the  &un  I  I  resjjcct  yon  all,  but  I  respect 
my  honor  more ! 

Lucretia.  (^Aside.')  Alas !  alas !  they  have  accomplished  it ! 
He  hates  my  very  name  ! 

Maffio.  Why,  Gennaro,  brother,  we  are  only  indulging  in  a 
little  pleasantry,  and  we  have  good  right  to  do  so  when  a  gal- 
lant cavalier  wears  a  lady's  colors  on  his  bosom. 

Gennaro.     I !  what  mean  you  ? 

Maffio.     (^Pointing  to  his  scarf.')     That  scarf. 

Jeppo.  Yes,  my  friend,  that  scarf.  Is  it  not  the  colors  of 
the  duchess? 

Gennaro.  This  scarf  was  sent  me  by  Fiametta  Berano,  in 
Venice. 

Maffio.  Tou  may  believe  so,  if  you  like,  but  'twa-s  from  the 
hands  of  the  fair  Lucretia.  I'U  be  sworn. 


32  LUCKETIA    liO^aiA. 

Gennan.  Gentlemen,  I'm  in  no  mood  for  jesting  now.  At« 
yuii  sure  cf  what  you  say  ? 

Jvppo.  Sure !  Why,  every  child  knows  the  colors  of  the 
duchess  ;  and,  to  be  plain,  your  own  valet  was  bribed  to  tell 
you  this  tale,  as  from  Fiametta ;  he  acknowledged  it  to  me. 

Cicnnaro.  Damnation!  {Tears  off  the  scarf ,  and  tramples  it 
inuler  foot.)  Thus  do  I  tread  upon  her  gifts,  and  thus  do  I 
scorn  the  terrible  Borgia!     (^C't-osses  to  R.  c.) 

Lucreiia,  {Pressinff  her  hands  to  her  forehead.  She  says,  with 
i/reat  feeling .)  'Tis  past !  Farewell  all  my  bright  visions  of 
happiness !  O,  farewell  to  peace  !  He  tramples  on  my  very 
heart !  It  is  not  him  I  blame  ;  but  let  those  who  have  causev. 
this,  and  planted  in  his  heart  this  horror,  beware  of  a  greater 
one  !  Let  them  note,  if  they  can,  escape  from  the  awakened 
wrath  of  the  scorned  Lucretia  Borgia  ! 

She  retires  from  the  balcony. 

Maffo.  How  bright  and  beautiful  she  is  —  this  Lucretia  — 
notAvithstanding  her  fiendish  nature !  I  am  told  she  was  not 
always  so, 

Gennaro.  Name  her  not  agtiin  !  I  scorn,  detest  her  !  Love 
her,  said  you  ?  Love  the  woman  who  murdered  your  brother, 
whose  place  I  now  fill  in  your  heart !  Let  us  think  only  of 
that !  See,  here  is  the  accursed  palace  of  luxury,  and  seat  of 
festering  crime  —  the  home  of  a  Borgia  !  The  mark  of  inia- 
my  AA'hich  I  cannot  stamp  upon  the  forehead  of  this  woman,  I 
will  leave,  at  least,  on  the  front  of  her  palace ! 

lie  leaps  on  to  a  stone  step,  and  wtlh  his  dagger  erases 
the  ftr.it  letter  of  the  word  Hohgia  oa  the  wall,  so 
that  there  remains  but  the  word  orgia. 

Maffto,  For  God's  sake,  Gennaro,  ^^•hat  have  you  done  ? 
Your  life  is  now  in  deadly  peril  every  coming  moment ! 

Guhetta.  (n.  corner.)  Signer,  you  have  but  shortened  the 
lady's  name  by  a  letter ;  when  next  she  meets  you,  she'll 
shorten  your  body  by  a  head,  at  least !  Half  the  city  will  to- 
morrow l,e  questioned  for  that  puji,  signer. 

Gennaro.  Let  the  other  liulf,  then,  say  it  was  /,  and  be  you 
the  first  ! 

Majio.     Gentlemen,  let  us  leave  this  place.     I  like  it  not  i 


LUCRETIA    BOKGIA.  3S 

and  have  you  not  observed  those  two  men,  who  seem  to  hav« 
been  watching  us  ? 

Jeppo.  I  have.  They  are,  no  doubt,  a  couple  of  amiable 
cut-throats  ! 

Majio.  Gennaro,  as  you  value  the  safety  of  j'our  friends,  no 
more  bravado !  If  you  are  in  peril,  I  have  sworn  to  share  it  — 
remember ! 

Gennaro.  Your  hand,  brother.  Fear  me  not.  Gentlemen, 
good  night.  Exit  into  house  on  l.  h. 

Jeppo.  {Uoiiir;  vp  with  the  others.)  Good  night.  The  very 
devil  is  in  our  friend  to-night.  Gentlemen,  pause.  A  last 
look  !  (^AU  turn  round.  Pointing  at  the  word.)  Oiigia  !  Thai 
is  indeed  a  joke! 

All  exeunt,  L.  u.  e.,  laugkine;,  except  Gubetta. 

Guhetta.  A  joke,  is  it  ?  Ha,  ha !  I'm  a  little  afraid,  my 
friends,  that  you'll  find  it  a  seriotis  one  before  the  duchess  and 
myself  have  got  over  it !  And  Gennaro,  too !  Ha,  ha,  ha ! 
Good,  good,  venj  good  !  I  like  that !  The  lady  wUl  not  relish 
such  &  joke,  even  from  him!  I  shall  soon  be  wanted,!  see  i\ 
plainly.  The  devil  never  deserts  his  friends,  and  /  am  a  favored 
subject.     I  thank  him.  Exit  into  palace,  through  u.  D. 

Scene  II.  (//t  1.)  —  A  Street  in  Ferrara. 
Enter  Rustighello,  r.,  and  Astolfo,  l.  h. 

Asiolfo.     Good  day.    What  movement  brought  you  this  way  ? 

Rustighello.     The  usual  one,  I  believe. 

Astolfo.     "Well,  what  are  you  doing  here  ? 

Rustighello.  Watching  and  waiting  for  you  to  begone  !  And 
what  are  you  doing  ? 

Astolfo.      Watching  and  waiting  for  you  to  begone  ! 

Rustighello.     Indeed  !     "Whom  are  you  looking  for  ? 

Astolfo.     The  young  Venetian,  Captain  Gennaro. 

Rustighello.  And  so  am  I  —  with  an  invitation  from  the 
duke. 

Astolfo.     And  I  bear  an  invitation  from  the  duchess. 

Rustighello.     "What  awaits  him  from  the  duchess,  think  you  } 

Astolfo.     Love,  no  doubt.     "W^hat  from  the  duke  ? 


84  LUCRETIA    BORG."A. 

Rustighello.     Death,  no  doubt. 

Astolfo.  What's  to  be  done  ?  He  can't  wait  on  both  these 
mvitations  vciy  ■well  at  once.  He  can't  be  a  lover  and  a  corpse 
at  the  same  time. 

Rustighello.  Stay,  I  have  an  idea  how  we  can  settle  this. 
Here's  a  ducat.  I'll  toss  it  up,  and  let  the  side  which  turns  iip 
d(.teimine  which  of  us  shall  have  the  guest.  I  choose  the 
duke's  head ;  the  cross  shall  be  yours. 

Astolfo.  So  be  it.  If  I  lose,  I'll  tell  the  duchess  the  bird 
had  flown  ;  and  if  you  lose,  you  must  say  the  same  to  the  duke. 

Rustighello.  Certainly.  It  matters  little  to  me  which  of  U8 
wins;  so  here  goes.     I  say,  head's  tip!     {Tosses  up  the  coin.) 

Astolfo.  And  head  it  is.  He  is  yours,  and  will  die !  The 
man  was  born  to  be  hanged,  it  seems.  So  be  it.  Fate  settles 
it,  not  I.  There's  his  lodging,  (l.  h.)  Now  I'll  return  to  the 
duchess.  Exit,  b.  h. 

Rustighello.     Now  for  the  captain  !     The  duke  invites ! 

Exit,  L.  H. 

Scene  III. — A  splendid  Apartment  in  the  Ducal  Palace.  Hang- 
ings of  tapestry  of  Hungarian  leather,  elaborately  stamped  with 
arabesque  and  grotesqxie  figures  of  gold,  in  the  style  of  the  fif- 
teenth centwy,  {the  latter  part.)  A  large  door  in  C,  and  two 
tmall  doors  n.  and  L.  h.  The  (d.)  one  on  L.  H.  is  a  secret 
door,  and  looks  like  the  panelling,  until  it  is  opened.  On  R.  H., 
state  chair,  embroidered  with  arms  of  the  house  of  D'Este.  On 
B.  C,  an  elegant  table,  covered  with  a  rich  cloth  of  scarlet,  with 
books,  papers,  rich  inkstand,  pens,  SjC.  A  Gothic  chair  beside 
the  table,  Don  Alphonso  D'Este,  in  splendid  attire,  m  his 
robe  of  rank,  is  discovered  at  table,  writing. 

Enter  Rustighello,  l.  h.  d.,  1  e. 

Rustighello.  My  lord  duke,  your  first  orders  are  executed. 
TLe  prisoner  is  in  the  palace.     I  await  j'our  further  order. 

Alphonso.  {Taking  a  small  key  from  bosom.)  Take  this  key, 
and  go  to  the  Numa  Gallery ;  count  all  the  panels  of  the  wain- 
icot,  commencing  at  the  figure  of  Hercules,  till  you  come  to 
the  tweuty-third.     Search  ourefuUy,  and  in  the  mouth  of  ouo 


LTUREXIA    llORGIX,  3d 

of  the  painted  dragons  you  will  tind  a  sniall  opening.  Insert 
this  key,  then  press  upon  it,  and  the  panel  will  turn,  iis  upon 
pivots.  In  tlxis  secret  recess  you  will  find  a  small  salver  of  gohl^ 
and  near  it  a  golden  flagon,  and  a  flagon  of  silver,  with  ttco 
enamel  cups.  Take  them,  without  disturbing  their  contents  in 
any  way,  to  my  private  cabinet.  I  need  not  wain  you  not  to 
taste  their  contents. 

Rustighello.     Is  that  all,  my  loid  r 

Duke,  No  ;  when  you  have  executed  ray  order,  do  you  take 
your  station  in  my  cabinet,  there,  (r.  d.  f.)  where  you  may 
hear  all  that  passes.  If  I  ring  this  silver  bell,  immediately 
enter  with  your  dra'wn  sword  ;  but  if  I  call  you  by  name,  enter 
witli  the  salver  and  wine.     Go  ! 

Rustigkello  bows  and  exits  by  the  small  D.  R.  H.  in  F. 
The  duke  rises,  paces  the  chamber  with  an  agitated 
air  a  moment,  atid  then  throws  himself  into  his 
chair,  and  leans  his  head  upon  his  hands. 

Enter  Astolfo,  c.  d. 

AstoWo.  My  lady,  the  duchess,  demands  an  audience  with 
your  highness. 

Duke.     "We  await  the  duchess.  Exit  Astcl/o,  c.  d. 

Enter  the  Duchess  Lucretia,  c.  d.,  impetuously. 

Lucretia.  My  lord  duke !  Some  one  has  mutilated  the  name 
of  your  wife,  engraved  over  the  armorial  bearings  of  o\ir  house, 
in  front  of  this  palace ;  some  one  of  your  people,  I  fear  it  is. 
This  is  an  indignity  too  infamous  to  patiently  bear !  It  has 
been  done  in  public,  in  the  broad  face  of  day !  Do  you  hear 
it,  sir?  I  know  not  the  offender's  name,  but,  by  the  Virgin,  I 
•will  not  tamely  tolerate  this  insult !  I  w-ould  rather  a  thou- 
Band  times  die  by  the  poniard  than  have  my  name  made  the 
vile  jest,  the  quibble,  and  sarcasm  of  the  rabble  !  I  demand 
justice!  Can  you  calmly  sit  there,  and  hear  of  this  insult  to 
your  wife  ?  or  is  it  because  it  is  not  against  yourself  that  you 
bear  it  thus  ?  You  say  you  love  me ;  show  that  you  love 
my  fair  fame !  You  are  jealous,  too ;  show  that  it  is  for  my 
reputation !  I  demand  justice !  You  are  the  duke,  and  can 
give  it.     You.  are  my  husband,  and  shall  protect  me !  you  have 


36  LUCRETIA    liORGIA.. 

given  me  your  hand,  and  I  now  demand  the  strength  of  youl 
strong  arm. 

Duke-  {Calmly.)  Madam,  what  you  complain  of  was  known 
to  me. 

Luoretia.     Known,  sir,  and  the  criminal  not  discovered  ! 

DuJie.     The  criminal  is  discovered. 

l.ucrttia.     Let  him  be  instantly  arrested. 

Duke.     He  is  arrested. 

L^ia-ctia.     Then  why  is  he  not  punished  ? 

Duke.     I  awaited  your  counsel,  madam. 

Luj:retia.     I  thank  you.     Where  is  the  miscreant  ? 

Duke.     Here,  in  the  palace. 

Lucretia.  Here  !  He  shall  be  made  an  example  of.  It  is 
high  treason,  my  lord.  It  is  fitting  that  the  head  which  con- 
ceives, and  the  hand  that  executes,  should  be  forfeited.  I  vdU 
pass  sentence  with  my  own  lips. 

Duke.  You  shall  do  so.  Baptiste !  {^Enter  Baptiste,  l.  h.  d., 
1  E.)     Show  in  the  prisoner  ! 

Exit  Baptiste,  L.  H.  D.  1  e.     Duke  rises. 

Lucretia.  A  word  yet,  my  lord.  Be  this  man  who  he  may 
—  one  of  your  own  family  —  an  officer  of  your  household  — 
even  a  subject  of  Venice  —  swear  by  your  ducal  crown  he  shall 
not  depart  alive ! 

Duke.  Mark  me  well.  I  swear,  by  my  sacred  honor  and  by 
my  ducal  crown,  he  dies,  be  he  who  he  may ! 

Lucretia.  My  lord,  I  am  content;  now  I  would  see  th« 
prisoner. 

Enter,  L.  H.  D.  1  e.,  Gennaro,  disarmed,  and  four  guards.     The 
Duke  sits  iti  state  chair,  n.  h. 

Lucrefia.  (Seated  in  chair,  L.  of  table.')  Gennaro!  (With 
agony.)     My  lord,  what  fatality  is  this? 

Duke.  {Smiling,  and  in  an  under  tone.)  What !  you  know 
this  man,  then,  Luci-ctia  ? 

iS'Ae  gazes  a  mometit  on  him,  then  sinks  into  the  chair  at  table. 

Gen7iaro.  My  lord  duke,  I  am  a  simple  captain  in  the  ser- 
vice of  Venice.  You  have  ordered  my  arrest ;  I  address  you 
with  that  respect  befitting  your  rank,  and  ask  of  what  I  stand 
accused. 


LUCRETIA     BOIIGIA.  37 

Duke.  Sigiior,  the  crime  of  high  treason !  The  family 
liame  of  our  much  loved  duchess,  Lucretia  Borgia,  has  been 
shamefully  mutilated  on  the  facade  of  our  o^vn  ducjil  palace! 
We  seek  the  criminal. 

Lucretia.  (^Eagerly.)  It  is  not  him,  Alphonso !  it  is  not  this 
young  man  ! 

Uuke.     How  know  you  that,  Lucretia? 

Lucretia.  It  cannot  be.  He  is  of  Venice,  not  of  Ferrara. 
The  act  was  committed  this  morning,  and  he  was  then,  I'm 
told,  with  one  named  Fiamctta. 

Gennaro.  (L.)     Your  pardon.     It  is  not  true,  your  highness. 

Duke.  You  see  your  highness  has  been  wrongly  informed. 
Captain,  on  your  honor,  are  you  the  man  who  committed  this 
offence  ? 

Lucretia,  (^In  terror.  Rises.)  Air !  air  !  I  suffocate  !  {Crosses 
-io  I/.,  atid  in  passing  whispers  to  Gennaro,  rapidhj.)  O,  say  it 
was  not  you ! 

Dulce.  {Aside.)     She  whispered  him  as  she  passed ! 

Gennaro.  Duke  Alphonso,  the  fisherman  of  Calabria  who 
reared  me  taiight  me  this  maxim :  "  Do  what  you  promise,  and 
honestly  say  what  you  have  done."  By  acting  thus,  one  may 
often  hazard  life,  but  he  preserves  his  honor !  Duke,  /  am  the 
7nan  ! 

Duke.     Madam,  you  have  my  oath  on  my  ducal  crown ! 

Lucretia.  (  With  effort.)     Guards,  retire  with  your  prisoner  a 
moment.     My  lord,  a  word  with  you.     {Duke  comes  down.) 
Exeunt  Baptiste  atid  guards,  d.  l.  1  e.,  icith  Gennaro. 

Duke.  (R.)     Madam,  what  would  you  with  me  ? 

Lucretia.  (l.)  It  is  my  -Nvill,  Alphonso,  that  this  young  man 
should  live. 

Duke.  Indeed !  how  very  strange  !  A  few  moments  sinci?, 
you  demanded,  with  tears  and  imprecations,  justice  against  one 
who  had  insulted  you.  You  made  me  pledge  my  word  —  nay, 
swear  an  oath  —  that  the  offender  should  die!  I  did  so.  Y''ou 
have  my  oath.  He  is  guilty,  by  his  own  confession  ;  and  again, 
mark  me  —  by  my  soul,  he  dies !  You  are  at  liberty  to  choose 
the  manner  of  his  death ;  but  I  have  called  God  to  witness  aa 
oath,  and  it  shall  be  sa«*j-ed. 
4 


99  LUCRETIA    UORGIA. 

Lvcretia.  (^Laughing,  and  with  great  tenderness.' \  Don  Al« 
phonso,  I  am  a  true  woman  —  wayward  and  capricious,  spoiled 
by  foolishi  indulgence.  You  know  my  temper.  Let  us  reason, 
cordially,  tenderly,  like  man  and  wife.     Be  seated. 

Lucretia  sits  u.  of  table.     Duke  kneels  to  her  on  foot- 
stool, on  her  L. 

Duke.  ( With  an  air  of  gallantry.)  At  your  feet.  I  am  ever 
happy  to  be  here,  for  you  are  queen  of  love,  as  well  as  of  beauty. 

Lucretia.  You  know  I  love  you,  Alphonso.  I  am  cold 
sometimes,  and  it  is  natural  to  my  character ;  but  it  does  not 
proceed  from  want  of  affection  for  you.  WTienever  you  have 
chid  me  mildly,  have  I  not  yielded  ?  and  I  would  do  so  ever, 
dear  lord ! 

Duke.  Nay,  I  bow  to  you.  My  fair  wife,  {putting  his  arm 
round  her  waist,)  you  are  brilliant  as  the  star  of  evening,  and 
your  bright  eyes,  soft  lips,  and  angel  form  would  wake  an  an- 
chorite to  passion. 

Lucretia.  Is  it  not  ridiculous  that  we  should  quarrel  —  we 
who  are  seated  on  the  first  ducal  throne  in  the  world  —  about 
a  Venetian  adventurer,  a  mere  soldier  of  fortune  ?  We  must 
put  him  away,  and  say  no  more  about  it.  A  silly  braggart,  to 
annoy  us  thus  !  Let  him  depart.  I  will  tell  Baptiste  to  send 
this  Gennaro  out  of  Ferrara  instantly,  that  he  may  no  longer 
be  the  cause  of  discord. 

Dii.ke.     Nay ;  why  such  haste  ?  there  is  time  enough. 

Lucretia.  I  wish  to  have  it  from  our  thoughts.  Nay,  you 
must  let  me  have  this  affair  my  own  way. 

Duke.     This  must  be  my  way,  Lucretia.    The  man  must  die  ! 

Lucretia.  Why,  what  cause  have  you  to  wish  for  this  young 
man's  life  ? 

Duke.  {Rising.)  My  word  is  given.  The  oath  of  a  prince 
is  sacred. 

Lucretia.  That  is  well  enough  to  tell  the  people ;  but  be- 
tween you  and  me,  Alphonso,  we  know  what  it  is.  You  gave 
your  oath  to  Petrucci  to  render  Sienne ;  you  have  not  done  it, 
nor  ought  you  to  do  it.     The  history  of  nations  is  full  of  this. 

Duke,  (l.)     But,  liUcretia,  an  oath! 

L4tcrttia.  (k.)     <iive  me  no  more  of  such  reasoning;  I  am 


irCIlEXIA.    BORGIA.  99 

no  fool.  Come,  give  me  his  life  as  readily  as  you  gave  me  his 
death,  unless  you  have  a  reason  to  give  instead.  You  arn 
silent.     It  is  J  who  am  insulted,  not  yoii. 

Duke.     That  is  precisely  why  I  will  not  accord  him  grace. 

Lucretia.  My  lord,  if  you  love  me,  you  will  no  longer  den\ 
this  trivial  boon.  Let  us  be  merciful.  Mercy,  Alphonso,  is 
that  quality  alone  in  which  man  may  imitate  his  Maker. 

Duke,  Mark  me,  for  the  last  time  !  I  cannot,  will  not !  he 
dies ! 

Lucretia,     Will  not  and  cannot !     Why  will  you  not  ? 

Duke.  I  will  tell  you  why.  This  adventurer  is  your  lover! 
{She  starts.)  You  sought  him  in  Venice,  and  met  him  there. 
1  was  on  your  track ;  I  followed  you  ;  saw  you,  masked  and 
breathless,  bending  over  his  sleeping  form,  while  the  burning 
kiss  was  fastened  on  his  lips.  It  is  time  to  avenge  my  honor ; 
and  if  in  no  other  way  I'll  trench  round  my  nuptial  couch  a 
rivulet  of  blood !  Watch  well  your  lovers  hereafter,  for  the 
door  by  which  they  enter  you  may  guard  as  you  please ;  but  at 
the  door  by  which  they  depart  shall  be  but  one  porter,  and 
he  the  headsman  !     {Crosses  to  R.) 

Lucretia.  (L.)  My  lord,  I  swear  to  you,  solemnly,  you  A\Tong 
At'm  and  me, 

Duke.  (R.)  Nay,  it  is  useless.  "  Oaths  are  well  enough  for 
the  people.     Give  me  no  more  such  reasoning."    I  am  no  fool. 

Lucretia.     O,  Alphonso!  if  you  knew 

Duke,  Hold,  madam !  Hear,  once  for  all !  I  hate  the 
whole  bloodthirsty  race  of  Borgia,  and  you,  whom  I  have  so 
fondly,  fervently  loved,  I  now  cast  from  my  heart  forever !  I 
know  your  whole  race  to  be  polluted  by  every  crime. 

Lucretia,  {Kneeliny.)  My  lord !  my  lord !  use  me  as  you 
will,  heap  upon  me  every  epithet  of  reproach ;  but,  in  the 
name  of  the  holy  Mother,  spare,  O  spare  this  Gennaro  ! 

Duke,  Within  one  hour  you  may  have  his  corpse !  He  dies, 
by  my  soul ! 

Lucretia.  {Starting  up,  and  with  great  emphasis  folding  her 
arms  on  her  bosom.)  Duke  of  Ferrara,  beware  !  I  am  Lucre- 
tia Borgia !  and  there  does  not  breathe  on  earth  the  being  who 
has  scorned  and  yet  escaped  my  vengeance !     {Crosse*  to  a.) 


4d  LXJCKETIA    BOaGIA. 

Duke,  (l.)  1  fear  you  not.  1  &ra. -a  man  a.\\d.  a,  soldier  !  My 
duchy  SAvarms  with  warriors  good  and  true.  I  fear  not  the 
pope,  vdih.  his  Vatican  thunders,  for  I  have  not,  Uke  the  poor 
King  of  Naples,  resigned  my  artillery  into  his  hand,  nor  shall 
I  do  so. 

Lucrutia.  You  may  repent  this  language,  my  lord.  You 
forget  who  I  am. 

Duke.  You  are  Lucretia  Borgia !  You  are  the  daughter  of 
St.  Peter,  but  you  are  not  at  Rome.  You  are  the  wife,  sub- 
ject, and  servant  of  Alphonso,  Duke  of  f  errara,  who  can  com- 
mand and  will  enforce  obedience  and  respect.  (SAe  gazes  a 
momeiit  at  him,  and  then  she  sinks  into  the  ducal  chair,  pale  and 
trembling  with  rage  and  fear.)  Why,  how  is  this  ?  You  trem- 
ble !  You  may  well  do  so  I  I  am  no  longer  your  slave,  for, 
regardless  of  a  censorious  world,  my  future  course  is  marked ; 
and  now  this  the  first  of  your  lovers  whom  I  have  put  my 
hand  upon,  dies  !  The  choice  of  his  death  is  with  you ;  quick ! 
decide ! 

Lucretia.  O,  my  God !  my  God !  Would  I  dare  tell  all  J 
O,  Alphonso,  listen  to  me  !  How  can  he  be  my  lover^  who  so 
grossly  insults  me  ? 

Duke.  Do  lovers  never  quan-el  ?  His  mode  of  death !  de- 
cide !  No  answer  ?  then  the  sword  !  (^ About  to  raise  the  bell 
from  table.) 

Lucretia.  {Seizing  his  hand.)     Stay!   O,  stay  I 

Duke.  Will  you  please  to  pour  out  for  your  lover  a  glass  of 
Syracuse  winef 

Lucretia.     O,  Gennaro ! 

DuJce.     He  must  die  ! 

Lucretia.  Not  by  the  sword !  not  by  the  sword !  I  —  I  — 
choose  the  other  mode. 

Duke.  You  cannot  deceive  me  !  The  xoine  must  be  poured 
out  from  the  gold  flagon !  You  know  its  superior  qualities ; 
and  till  he  drinks,  be  sure  /  leave  not  your  side.  Baptiste ! 
{Enter  Baptiste,  l.  h.  d.  1  e.)  Bring  in  your  prisoner !  (Bap- 
tiste exits,  and  reenters,  L.  h.  d.  1  E.,  with  Gennaro,  guarded, 
OB  before.) 

Duke.  (Seated  l.  of  table.)     Captain  Qeonaxo,  we  have  rea* 


LUCHETIA    HOKGIA,  41 

Bon  to  believe  the  offence  of  this  inorniiig  was  the  thoughtless 
folly  of  youth,  rather  than  malice  and  design  of  insult.  On 
this  account  the  Duchess  of  Ferrara  pardons  you,  on  condition 
that  you  immediately  depart  for  Venice.  You  are  called  brave 
and  gencrotis,  and  we  desire  not  to  deprive  the  republic  of  a 
single  faithful  arm  now,  when  Candia  and  Cyprus  are  threat- 
ened by  the  Saracen. 

Gennuro.  (l.)  My  lord  duke,  your  clemency  has  my  thanks, 
and  doubly  so,  as  I  looked  not  for  mercy  at  your  hands.  I 
thank  you. 

Duke.  Well,  that  is  past.  IIoav  like  yon  the  service  of 
Venice  ?  on  what  conditions  are  you  engaged  ? 

Geiinaro.  I  command  fifty  mounted  men,  my  lord,  whom  I 
feed,  clothe,  and  pay,  for  which  1  am  allowed  two  thousand 
sequins  of  gold  a  year. 

Duke.  Would  you  enter  my  service  if  I  were  to  give  you 
four  thousand  sequins  ? 

Gennaro.  For  two  years  I  must  still  serve  the  republic  of 
Venice,  for  which  term  I  am  bound. 

Duke.     How  bound,  captaui  ? 

Gennaro.     My  lord,  by  oath ! 

Duke.  (^Low  to  Lucreiia,  icilh  a  smile.)  You  hear,  madam ; 
even  a  poor  adventurer  regaids  liis  oath.  Have  you  any  favor 
to  ask,  any  boon  to  crave,  before  you  leave  Ferrara  ? 

Ge7inaro.  I  have  not ;  but  1  will  mention  one  thing  before 
I  depart,  as  an  equivalent  retuni  for  the  life  you  have  now 
spared.  As  your  clemency  has  been  freely  extended,  I  uanL. 
it,  but  should  not  have  done  so  otherwise.  Your  highness  may 
not  have  forgotten  that  at  the  storming  of  Facnza,  two  years 
since,  yoiir  brother,  the  Duke  Hercules  D'Este,  was  in  deadly 
peril  from  two  halberdiers  of  the  enemy.  His  life  was  saved 
by  a  young  soldier  of  Venice. 

Duke.  {lihiuff.)  'Tis  true,  and  I  have  sought  that  brave 
Boldier  in  vain. 

Gennaro.     He  now  stands  before  you,  duke  ! 

Duke.  Ah,  is  it  so,  indeed  ?  My  gallant  captain  !  ( Comes 
fo-rward,  and  grasps  his  hand;  duchess  starts  vp,  atid  advam^et, 
B.  H. ;  after  a  pav-se,  returns  to  seat.  The  duke,  obsei-vinsi  th4 
i* 


42  LUCRETIA.    BORGIA. 

joy  of  the  duchess,  drops  Gennaro's  ha7id.)  Will  you  accept  thil 
purse  of  gold  sequiiis  ? 

Gennai-o.  (L.)  My  lord  duke,  I  am  pledged  to  the  republic 
not  to  receive  gold  from  any  foreign  prince.  Yet,  though  I 
may  not  take  it  for  myself,  I  will,  with  your  permission,  pre- 
sent it  to  these  brave  soldiers  here  —  my  guard. 

Duke,  (c.)  The  purse  is  yours.  But  you  will  not  refuse  to 
join  us  in  a  glass  of  Syracusan  wine  ?     {Goincf  up  to  table.) 

Gennaro.     Most  willingly,  my  lord. 

Duke.  (^At  table.)  Rustighello !  {He  enters,  K.  d.  f.)  The 
wine!  {He  exits.)  And  to  do  honor  to  the  brave  soldier  who 
saved  my  brother's  life,  the  duchess  shall  with  her  own  fair 
hand  pour  out  for  you.  {Gennaro  botes,  and  turns  to  the  soldiers, 
to  whom  he  gives  the  money.  Enter  Rustighello,  loith  the  wine,  K. 
D.  F.)  'Tis  well.  Lucretia,  listen  to  what  I  tell  this  man. 
Place  yourself  near  that  door ;  if  I  ring  this  bell,  enter  with 
your  draAvn  sword.  Now  go  !  {Exit  Rustighello,  R.  D.  f.)  Cap- 
tain Gennaro!  Madam,  pour  out  for  our  friend,  from  the 
GOLD  Jiagon. 

Liicretia.  {Seated  ii.  of  table.  In  a  low  tone  to  duke.)  O,  must 
it  be  ?  Alphonso  !  husband  !  think  —  he  saved  your  brother's 
life  !  Must  it  be  so  ?  As  there  is  a  heaven  above,  I  swear  to 
you,  your  suspicions  are  false !  Did  you  but  know  what  a 
horrible  crime  you  are  forcing  me  to  commit,  you  would  pause, 
my  lord  —  you  would  pause  ! 

Duke.  (L.  of  tab'e.  Carelessbj.)  Take  care,  Lucretia;  do 
not  mistake  the  flagon.  Pray  what  may  be  your  age.  Captain  ? 
{Duke  fills  for  himself  from  the  silver  Jiagon,  and  raises  it  to  his 
lips.) 

Gennaro.  (l.  c.)  Twenty  years,  your  higlmess.  (  The  duch- 
ess is  about  to  fill  from  the  silver  flagon  the  cup  which  Gennaro 
holds  out  as  he  replies.) 

Duke.  Lucretia,  fill  from  the  gold  flagon,  if  you  please.  Or, 
shall  1  ring  for  the  servant  who  waits  my  order  at  the  door  ?  It 
would,  indeed,  have  been  cruel,  Lucretia,  to  have  cut  him  off 
from  life,  from  love,  from  the  bright  future  that  is  before  him, 
—  on  the  very  threshold  of  manhood,  too,  only  twenty  yearg 
of  age  —  from  the  gay  ffitcs,  the  masks,  and  carnivals  of  Ven- 


trCKETIA    BOKGIA.  43 

Ice,  and  the  fair  ones  who  love  him,  and  •whom  he  doubtletn 
loves  —  would  it  not  ? 

Liicretia.  {Aside.)  O,  heaven  !  if  he  would  but  meet  my 
eye,  I  might  warn  him  with  a  glance, 

Gennaro.  My  lord  duke,  I  value  not  life ;  but  for  the  sake 
of  my  poor  mother  I  thank  you  for  preserving  it. 

Liicretia.     O,  horror  !     (^Aside.     Sinks  into  chair.') 

Duke.  Your  health,  Captain  Gennaro.  May  you  live  a 
thousand  years. 

Gennaro.     God  bless  you,  my  lord  duke.     {Both  drink.) 

Duke.  Farewell,  captain  ;  you  are  free  to  depart,  and  I  ■wish 
you  a  safe  and  a  speedy  journey.  1  must  leave  you  now., 
{Duke  rises.  Aside,  to  Liicretia.)  I  leave  you  with  your  lover, 
Lucretia.  He  is  now  all  your  ovm.  —  yours  while  he  Uves,  and 
if  you  choose  to  share  his  fate,  you  arc  at  liberty  to  be  his  in 
death.    Thus  perish  all  your  paramours,  madam !     Exit,  c.  d. 

Lucretia.  Guards,  you  may  withdraw.  {Exit  guards,  i..  1  E. 
Lucretia  watches  them  off,  then  starts  up  wildly  from  her  seat,  goes 
to  c.  D.,  II.  u.  D.  F.,  and  n.  L.  1  c.  ;  fastens  them ;  then  rushes  to 
Ge7inaro,  and  exclaims ;)    Gennaro,  Gennaro,  you  are  poisoned  ! 

Gennaro.     Poisoned,  madam ! 

Lucretia.  Yes,  yes,  Gennaro.  O,  my  God,  you  are  poi- 
soned ! 

Gennaro.  The  wine  was  poured  out  by  your  o-wn  hand. 
True,  true,  I  might  have  suspected  it.  Y'ou  are  Lucretia 
Borgia ! 

Lucretia.  Gennaro,  Gennaro,  you  ^vill  drive  me  mad !  Do 
not,  O,  do  not  yow  reproach  me,  or  my  senses  will  forsake  me  ! 
Listen  to  me.  The  duke  is  mad  with  jealousy,  believes  you 
to  be  my  lover,  and  left  me  no  alternative  but  to  see  you 
poniarded  by  Rustighello,  (who  is  even  now  there,)  or  pour 
out  for  you  that  wine  with  my  o^vn  hands.  It  is  a  sure  and 
deadly  poison  —  a  poison  the  very  mention  of  which  makes 
every  Italian  turn  pale  who  knows  the  history  of  the  last 
twenty  years ;  it  is  the  poison 

Gennaro.     Of  the  Borgias  ! 

Lucretia.  Yes,  and  you  have  it  in  your  veins !  I  can  and 
mu$t  save  you  !     {Producing  a  small  and  elegant  gold  phial  from 


<4  LUCltETIA    BORGIA. 

her  bosom.)  Here,  here  is  an  antidote,  known  but  to  two  per- 
sons in  the  wide  world  —  my  father  and  myself.  Quick !  one 
drop  on  your  lip,  and  you  are  saved !  (She  approaches  with  ths 
phial ;  he  recoils  from  her,  and  gazes  fixedhj  upon  her  face.) 

Genuaro.     Madamj  is  not  this  the  poison  ? 

Lucretia.     O,  misery  !  misery  ! 

Gennaro.  I  have  not  forgotten  the  fate  of  the  brother  of 
Eajazet.  He  was  persuaded  that  he  was  poisoned,  and  took 
the  proffered  antidote  ;  it  caused  his  death. 

Lucretia.  Great  Heaven  !  must  he  perish  by  my  hand  ?  O, 
wretched,  wTetched  woman  that  1  am!  Gennaro,  hear  me! 
{On,  her  knees.)  By  the  dread  name  of  Him  who  readest  the 
hearts  of  all  —  by  the  sacred  love  you  bear  your  mother  —  1 
swear  you  are  poisoned !  Drink,  drink  this,  ere  I  go  mad  ! 
Your  reproaches  crush  me  —  warp  my  reason  —  but  I  have  but 
one  thought,  hope,  wish,  prayer  —  to  save  you  !  Curse  me, 
heap  on  my  head  your  maledictions,  crush  me  with  contempt 
and  scorn,  but,  as  you  ever  hope  to  know  your  mother,  drink 
this! 

Gennaro.  Madam,  1  saved  the  life  of  the  duke's  brother  ; 
ne  is  loyal  and  noble.  You  I  have  offended,  and  I  have  reason 
to  dread  your  vengeance. 

Lucretia.  Gennaro,  if  to  give  up  my  whole  life  would  add 
oi.e  hour  to  yours  —  if  to  spill  the  last  drop  of  my  blood  could 
hinder  you  from  shedding  one  tear  —  if  by  torture  I  could  seal 
you  on  a  throne  —  1  would  not  hesitate  —  murmur  —  I  would 
do  it,  and  die  happy,  too  happy,  to  be  your  slave  !  ITie  duke 
may  soon  return ;  he  thmks  you  already  dead  ;  in  a  few  mo- 
ments it  will  be  too  late  to  save !  It  is  a  choice  of  life  or  death ! 
Gennaro,  drink  this,  and  live  ! 

Gennaro.  Lucretia  Borgia,  give  me  the  phial !  I  am  a 
friendless  orphan,  a  lone  being  on  earth.  It  may  be  that  yoxi 
speak  truly ;  if  not,  be  sure  the  God  of  the  fatherless  will 
avenge  me.     {lie  drinks,  and  hands  it  to  her.) 

Lucretia.  {Falls  on  her  knees  in  thankfulness.)  He's  saved ! 
he's  saved  !  thank  God,  he's  saved  !  {liising.)  Now,  lo<;e  not 
ft  moment,  but  mount  a  lieet  steed,  ar.d  begone  !    I  have  already 


LUCIiETIA    BORGIA.  46 

sent  one  to  your   house ;    he  vaits  your  coming.     Escape  to 
Venice,  and  Heaven  guard  you !     Have  you  money  ? 

Gennaro.  I  have,  madam.  (SAe  takes  him  up  to  secret  door, 
L.  1'.,  and  opens  it.) 

Lttcretia.  Stay  one  instant.  Here,  take  this  phial ;  keep  it 
ever  near  you,  for  poison  is  in  every  cup !  Now  fly  for  your 
hfe  !     Yet  one  word  more,  and  then  farewell  forever  ! 

Geimaro.     Speak ;  I  trust  you  now ;  I  listen. 

Liicrctia.  (  With  great  emotion.)  We  are  parting  forever.  I 
had  hoped  to  have  seen  you  during  your  bright  career  —  to 
have  marked  your  rising  greatness.  It  cannot  be ;  it  puts  your 
life  in  peril.  We  are  parting,  then,  forever  in  this  life  !  Gen- 
naro, Gennaro,  one  word ;  have  you  not  one  kind  word  for  me 
at  parting  ?  only  one,  for  the  being  who  loves  you  better  than 
her  owai  soul  —  only  one,  ere  we  separate  for  eternity? 

Gennaro.  You  have  saved  my  life,  you  say.  I  will  believe 
it ;  I  will  forget  all  I  ever  heard ;  ay,  I  will  leave  you  with 
Heaven's  blessing,  if  you  but  swear,  by  all  that  is  sacred  —  by 
my  own  life,  since  I  am  dear  to  you  —  that  your  crimes  have 
not  caused  misery  to  my  dear  but  unknown  mother. 

Lucretia.  Gennaro,  all  I  ever  utter  to  you  is  truth ;  I  will 
not  be  false  in  ioord  or  deed  to  you,  and  I  cannot  swear  that  oath. 

Gennaro.  O,  heavens !  my  mother !  Tliis,  then,  is  the 
being  who  caused  you  a  life  of  misery  ! 

Lucretia.     Gennaro,  hold  !     No ;  I  am 

Gennaro.  You  have  avowed  it !  Adieu,  Lucretia  Borgia  — 
adieu  forever !     Be  thou  accursed  !  Exit,  l.  d.  f. 

Lucretia.     And  be  thou  blessed  forever  ! 

Noise,  c.  D.  She  rushes  up  to  l.  d.  p.,  closes  the  door, 
and  comes  doxcn  R.,  just  as  the  Duke  bursts  open 
c.  D.,  and  rushes  in. 

Duke.  {Comes  down  l.)     Now,  where  is  Gennaro,  madam  ? 

Lucretia.     Seek  liim ! 

Duke.  Guards  !  {Rushes  to  L.  d.  1  e.  ;  Jinds  it  fast.)  Ah  ! 
closed  !  Rustighello  !  {Rushes  up  to  R.  d.  f.)  All  closed  ! 
Where,  where  is  Gennaro  ? 

Lucretia.     With  a  drug  I  preserved  his  life !     He  is  now  on 


46  LUCllETIA    BOKGIA. 

his  road  to  Venice,  and  out  of  your  power  forever !  Ha,  ha, 
ha  !  /  triumph  now  !  He's  safe !  he's  safe !  thank  God,  he'l 
safe  !     {Falls  fainting  on  the  siac/e.) 

Duke.     Escaped  !     Furies  scLze  'Ji(  e  i         Rxiahes  oxU^  0.  D. 

Quick  Drop. 
LvoKBTiA  ehangea  drmt. 


ACT  III. 

Scene  L  —  A  magnificent  Chamber  in  the  Negroni  Palaet.  0» 
the  K.  a  D.  In  C,  very  large  curtain,  size  of  half  the  flat,  to 
draw  aside  each  waif,  iiplendid  chandeliers  and  candelabra. 
Mag)iijicc7it  banquet,  with  wines,  frxcit,  and  all  kinds  of  eatables, 
served  up  in  the  costly  style  of  the  fifteenth  century.  Pages 
aitetiditig.  Music,  soft  but  gay,  is  heard  as  the  curtain  rises. 
All  the  guests  are  seated  —  Ascanio,  Olofeeno,  Apostolo, 
Jeppo,  and  Gubetta,  and  several  Ladies,  elegantly  dressed.  At 
the  head  of  the  table  is  the  Fbincess  Negboni. 

Olofemo.  Here's  the  wine  of  Xercs  !  Xeres  de  la  Frontera 
is  a  city  of  Paradise. 

Jeppo.  Bravo,  Signer  Olofemo !  you  improve.  But  this 
wine  is  of  great  power  and  unequalled  flavor.  The  last  time 
we  cavaliers  drank  together,  'twas  in  Venice,  at  the  Palace  of 
his  serene  highness.  Doge  Barbarigo ;  now  we  are  at  Ferrara, 
and  in  the  palace  of  the  divine  Princess  of  Negroni.  We  drink 
to  your  health  and  your  beauty. 

All  rise,  and,  raising  their  glasses,  bow  to  her.  Enter, 
B.  D.  1  E.,  Maffio  and  Gennako,  the  latter  very 
reluctantly. 
•  Maffio.  Why,  brother,  what  unaccountable  dulness  is  this  ? 
and  why  am  I  obliged  to  go  to  your  lodgings  ere  I  can  get  you 
here?  Egad !  'twas  devilish  lucky  I  went  when  I  did,  or  you 
would  have  escaped  us.  When  I  saw  your  horse  at  the  door, 
I  suspected  your  trick,  my  friend. 

Gennaro.  I  know  not  why  I  have  consented  to  delay  my 
departure  for  Venice,  and  I  regret  that  I  have  done  so,  even 
now.  Had  you  not  convinced  me  that  I  had  been  the  dupe  of 
that  artful  woman,  I  should  have  been  already  far  on  my  way. 
Maffio.  Ha,  ha,  ha !  it  was  excellent,  i'  faith !  The  duka 
poisons  you,  and  the  duchess  gives  you  a  counter  poison  !  ^Tiy, 
what  a  farce!     The  fair  I.ucictia  is  desperately  in  love,  and 

'47) 


43  LUCRETIA.    BOUGIA. 

Bhe  pretends  to  save  your  life,  so  that  from  gratitude  you  may 
at  last  reciprocate  ker  regard. 

Gennaro.  (R.)     But  the  duke  I 

Maffio.  (l.)  O,  he's  a  good  natured,  easy  fellow,  a  little 
jealous  of  his  fair  rib,  and  he  has  cause,  I  fear,  you  rogue  ! 
but  utterly  incapable  of  poisoning.  Besides,  you  saved  his 
brother's  life. 

Gennaro.  But  why  is  the  duchess  so  anxious  for  my  absence 
from  Ferrara,  if,  as  you  say,  she  loves  me  r 

Maffio.  For  obvious  reasons.  You  see  her  husband  is  in  the 
•way  het-e,  and  she  can  easily  seek  you  in  Venice, 

Gennaro.     True,  very  true;  it  must  be  so.     (^Crosses  to  l.) 

Maffia.  (E.)  Come  now,  Gennaro  !  In  pity's  name,  rouse 
up  !  Be  either  a  child  or  a  man ;  go  to  your  nurse  again,  or 
join  us  at  the  table.  {^Maffio  and  Gennaro  seat  themselves  at 
table,") 

Jeppo.  {Dozen  L.  c.)  Aha,  sir  truant !  you  have  been  found 
at  last !  Why,  Maffio,  where  was  he  concealed  ?  We  thank 
you  for  executing  your  mission  so  faithfully,  and  bringing  the 
poor  wight  before  us ;  ha,  ha ! 

Maffia.  Come,  Jeppo,  give  us  a  merry  tale.  The  last  time 
we  met  in  Venice  you  gave  us  a  serious  story.  Now  give  us 
its  opposite,  if  you  can. 

Princess.  (^Coming  forward.)  Signor  Maffio,  (Ae  rises,)  your 
friend  seems  not  to  participate  in  the  general  merriment.  I 
trust  he  is  not  ill.     He  seems  depressed  and  abstracted. 

Maffio.  Madam,  he  is  ever  thus.  You  must  pardon  me  for 
having  brought  him  here  without  your  invitation.  He  is  my 
brother  in  arms,  and  we  never  separate.  A  Bohemian  predicted 
that  we  should  both  die  on  tlie  same  day. 

Princess.  (Laughing.)  Did  he  say  you  would  die  in  the 
morning  or  the  evening  ? 

Maffiio.     In  the  morning,  I  think. 

Princess.  Then  he  knew  nothing  about  it,  I  can  tell  you ! 
So  you  love  this  young  soldier  ? 

Maffia.    Ay,  madam,  as  much  as  one  man  can  love  another. 

Princess.     Then  in  friendship  you  must  be  happy. 

Maffio.    Friendship  does  not  occupy  the  entire  heart,  madam 


tUCRETIA    KOBGIA.  4fl 

Princets.    Indeed,  count,  what  then  ? 

Maffio.     Love,  lady. 

Princeaa.    Ah,  count,  you  always  have  love  on  your  lipt. 

Maffio.     And  you  in  your  eyes,  dear  lady.    {Kissbig  her  hattd.) 

Princess.     You  are  a  bold  man.  Count  OrsinL 

Maffio.  And  you  —  you  are  a  charming  woman,  princess. 
(_Puts  his  arm  round  her.) 

Princess.     Count,  release  me  !  I  shall  be  stifled,  sir ! 

Maffio.     One  kiss  of  this  fair  hand ! 

Princess.  No,  no.  (SAe  escapes  from  him;  goes  to  her  seat 
again.') 

Gubetta.  {^Coming  forward,  E.)  You  seem  in  a  fine  train 
mih.  the  princess. 

Maffio.  (l.)     And  yet  she  always  tells  me  "  .yo." 

Gubetta.  Well,  no  on  a  woman's  lips  is  the  twin  brother  to 
*'  yes." 

Jeppo.  (^Comes  forward,  L.)  Well,  how  do  you  get  on?  how 
do  you  find  the  princess  ? 

Maffio.  (c.)     Adorable  I 

Jeppo.    And  her  supper  ? 

Maffio.  A  feast  for  the  gods !  Sy  the  way,  the  princess  is  a 
widow. 

Jeppo.  I  should  have  known  that  by  her  gayety.  Count 
Belverana,  you'd  hardly  believe  that  Maifio  was  almost  a&aid 
to  come  here  to-night. 

Gubetta.  {Crossing  to  0.)     Afraid,  was  he?    And  of  what? 

Jeppo.  Of  poison !  and  all  because  the  palace  of  the  Ne- 
groni touches  the  palace  of  the  Borgia. 

Gubetta.  Devil  take  the  Borgias !  Let  us  drink,  and  think 
of  them  no  more.     (Crosses  behind  to  table,  L.) 

Jeppo.  (Low  to  Maffio.)  I  like  the  count  for  one  thing.  He 
hates  the  Borgias. 

Maffio.  Yes,  he  never  lets  a  chance  escape  of  sending  them 
to  the  devil,  without  grace ;  and  yet,  Jeppo,  I  have  observed 
that  this  Spaniard  to-night  has  drank  nothing  but  water. 

Jeppo.     Suspicious  again ! 

Gubetta,  (Coming  forward,  L.)  Do  you  know,  Signor  M«£- 
6 


50  LTJCKETIA    BORGIA. 

fio,  you  resemble  my  grandfather,  named  Gil-Basieo  Feman- 
Ireuo  Filipe  Frasco  Frasqueto,  Count  of  Belverana  ? 

Jeppo.  {Low,  to  Maffio,  R.)  1  hope  and  trust  you'll  never 
doubt  his  Spanish  origin  alter  that !  A  good  name,  that  of 
yours,  count ;  I  hope  you  keep  'em  catalogued ! 

Gubeita.  My  name  was  all  my  father  had  to  give,  and  he 
gave  me  plenty  of  that.  {They  laugh,  and  go  tip  to  table,  B. 
Aside.)  I  must  try  some  "way  to  get  the  ladies  from  the  room, 
'  r  1  can  never  go  to  work.  I  have  it !  Signer  Olofemo  ia 
drunk ;  I'll  draw  him  into  a  quarrel  —  that'll  do  it.  {Goes  to 
table,  E.  H.) 

(Moferno.  {Partially  drunk.)  Ladies,  taste  this  wine  !  It  ia 
sweeter  than  the  wine  of  Lachryma  Christi,  and  more  ardent 
than  the  wine  of  Cyprus.  Drink ;  it  is  the  wine  of  Syracuse, 
gentlemen  ! 

Gubeita.    It  is  evident  that  our  friend  is  tipsy. 

Oloferno.  Ladies,  I  will  recite  you  some  verses  I  have  com- 
posed for  this  occasion.  I  wish  I  were  a  better  poet ;  I  would 
raise  myself  to  heaven.    I  wish  I  had  two  wings. 

Gubetta.  Of  the  pheasant  on  my  plate.  Devil  take  your 
.verses  !     More  wine  ! 

All.    More  wine ! 

Olofemo.    O,  you're  no  poet !     Silence,  for  my  song  ! 

Gubetta.  Spare  us,  Marquis  of  Olofemo.  We  beg  leave  to 
drink  to  your  departed  reason.    I  dispense  you  from  your  song. 

Olofemo.     You  dispense  me  from  my  song  !     You  dispense ! 

Gubetta.  Ay,  as  I  would  dispense  a  barking  dog,  or  the 
devil  from  blessing  me. 

Oloferno.     You  mean  to  insult  me.  Six  Spaniard  ! 

Gubetta.  I  merely  decline  listening  to  your  song,  Signor 
Italian  I  I  had  rather  taste  the  Cyprus  wine  in  my  throat  than 
have  your  song  in  my  ears. 

Olofenvo.  Your  ear*,  you  miserable  Castilian  refugee!  I'll 
shave  them  off  close  to  your  dog's  head ! 

Gubetta.  You  are  an  absurd  and  ridiculous  dunce  !  Didst 
ever  see  the  like  ?  He  gets  drunk  with  Syracuse  wine,  and 
has  the  demeanor  of  a  man  intoxicated  w^ith  beer.  I  can't 
■top  to  carve  such  poultry  as  you  now  ;  it  is  too  troubleeoma 


LUCUEXIA.    UUUGIA.  il 

Oloferno.     I'L  carve  yoii  to  pieces  ! 

Gubetia.  As  I  do  thb  pheasant  now.  Ladies,  shall  I  hiip 
you? 

Oloferno.  {Seizing  a  knife.)  By  the  Virgin,  I'd  stab  the 
miscreant,  were  he  in  a  church. 

Tlie  lords  and  ladies  rise  in  alarm,  atid  exclaim,  "  Thvg 
are  going  to  fight'."  rush  out  of  the  room  h,  and  L. 
The  friends  hold  Oloferno^  and  disarm  him. 

Olofern  i.     Set  me  free  ! 

Gubetta.  My  -worthy  Mend,  your  poetry  has  put  the  ladies 
to  flight.  On  my  word,  you  are  a  gay  troubadour.  Signer 
Vitellozzo  ! 

Jeppo.     The  ladies  have  gone  indeed  ! 

Mafpa.     Let  a  knife  glitter,  and  a  woman  llies, 

Oloferno.  Count,  keep  your  valor  wai'm  till  nxomiug,  aud 
I'll  meet  you  then. 

Gubetta.  If  you  do.,  I'm  your  man  J  Ha,  ha,  ha  !  You 
have  put  to  flight  the  fairest  ladies  of  Ferrara,  with  a  carving 
knife  and  a  song.  You  should  have  wings,  lor  in  truth  you  are 
a  perfect  goose  of  a  man. 

Jeppo.  Come,  cease  this  quan-el.  It  is  enough  that  we 
have  lost  the  ladies.  Cut  one  another's  throats  in  the  morning 
at  your  leisure,  and  fight  like  gentlemen,  ■\\  ith  swords,  and  not 
like  cooks,  Avith  carving  knives. 

Ascanio.     Apropos !  where  are  our  swords  r 

Apostolo.  Y^ou  forget  they  obliged  us  to  leave  tfaem  in  the 
ante-room,  as  we  came  in . 

Gennaro.  ( If 'Ao  has  not  moved.)  It  was  a  wise  precaution, 
too,  it  seems. 

Maffio.  Egad,  brother  Gennaro !  that  is  the  first  thing  you 
have  uttered  to-night.  And  you  have  not  drank.  You  are 
dreaming  of  the  fair  Lucretia ;  do  not  deny  it. 

Gennaro.  No  more  of  that,  Maflio !  Come,  fill  me  to  drink. 
I'll  meet  my  friend  with  good  v^-ine  with  the  same  courage  as  J 
would  a  foe  in  the  field  with  weapons  of  death. 

Mafpjo.     Fill  me  with  the  wine  of  Syracuse ! 

Aik    The  wine  of  S}Tacuse  \ 


42  LUCBETTA    BORGIA. 

Jeppo,     A  pest  on  all  brawls !     The  ladies  ha^e  gone,  and 

will  not  return,  it  seems.     (^Tries  all  the  doors.)     And  every 

door  is  fastened  on  the  other  side,  too ! 

K   /  Gubetta.     Rather  a  wise  movement,  I  think,  from  past  expe- 

h        rience.     Come,  the  wine !     (^Enter  Astolfo,  1  e.,  l.  h.,  with 

salver,  one  bottle  of  wine,  Mid  seven  glasses.) 

Gennaro.     Gentlemen,  let  us  drink. 

Ma_ffio.     Ay,  to  the  health,  long  life,  and  happiness  of  Gen- 
naro ;  and  may  you  soon  find  your  mother. 
^  Gennaro.     May  Heaven  grant  it !     {All  dri7ik,  except  Gubetta^ 

tcho  throws  his  wine  over  his  shoulder.) 

Maffio.   {Aside,  to  Jeppo.)     Ha  !  did  you  see  thatt 

Jeppo.     See  what  ? 

Maffio.     The  Spaniard  did  not  drink ! 

Jeppo.     Well. 

Maffio.     He  has  thrown  it  over  his  shoulder  ! 

Jeppo.     Pooh !  the  count  is  drunk,  and  so  are  you,  I  think. 

Maffio.  {Carelesslij.)     Very  like  —  very  like. 

Gubetta.  {Aside.)  I  must  feign  to  be  drunk.  A  drinking 
song,  gentlemen  !  I  will  give  you  a  bacchanalian  song  worth 
more  than  the  love  sonnet  of  our  amiable  friend,  the  Marquis 
of  Oloferno.  But  first  let  me  swear,  by  the  old  skull  of  my 
old  father,  that  this  same  song  is  none  of  my  making.  I'm  not 
a  poet,  and  never  could  jingle  two  lines  into  rhyme  in  any  way. 
So  here  goes.  It  is  addressed  to  Monsieur  St.  Peter,  the  famous 
doorkeeper  of  paradise  —  a  jolly  lover  of  wine,  like  ourselves. 

Jeppo.  He's  di'unk  as  Bacchus!  He's  more  than  drunk; 
he's  a  drunkard  ! 

All,  except  Gennaro.     The  song !  the  song  ! 

Gubetta.  {Rising  and  reeling.) 

"  St.  Peter,  I  pray  you,  quick  open  your  gates. 
And  let  in  some  topers  you  know ; 
With  voice  full  and  strong,  and  thick  fuddled  pates, 
In  chorus  to  chant  Domino  !  " 

AU  except  Gennaro.     Gloria  Domino  ! 

General  laughing,  clinking  of  glaa$es,  t^c. ;  critt  of 


LrCRBTIA    BOROIA.  ii 

**  Bravo !"  Amid  t/ie  vproar,  distant  voitea  ar« 
heard  withoutr,  chanting,  vi  a  slow  and  solemn  strain, 
from,  the  Roman  ritual. 

Chorus  of  monks.  "  De  profundis  clamavi  ad  te,  Domine ! 
Conquassibat  capita  in  terra  multorum  !  " 

Lights  gradually  down. 

Jeppo.  (Boaring  tcith  laughter.^  Do  you  hear  that  ?  By  the 
rubicund  visage  of  jolly  old  Bacchus,  while  we  sing  bacchana- 
lian songs,  echo  chants  the  vespers !     A  full  church  chorus  I 

Maffio.     Some  procession  is  passing,  I  think. 

Gennaro.  (^Who  is  seated  iniL.,  apart  from  the  others.)  A  pro- 
cession at  midnight !     No,  no ;  that  is  rather  too  late ! 

Jeppo.     O,  nonsense  !     On  with  your  song,  count ! 

AlU  Ay !  the  song,  the  song  !  (^Beat  table.  Gubetta  rises, 
deling.) 

Monks  chant  without,  nearer.  *'  De  profundis  clamavi  ad  te, 
Domine  !     Conquassibat  capita  in  terra  multorum  !  " 

All  laugh  again  vociferously, 

Jeppo.  How  these  monks  bellow  !  They  are  regular  night 
brawlers  !  Lights  half  down. 

AscaTiio,  Ay,  but  they  are  kicking  up  a  riot  in  the  streets ; 
we  in  doors  !  Lights  down. 

Mafpa.  Halloa !  the  lamps  are  going  out !  We  shall  be  in 
the  dark  presently  ! 

Gennaro.  They  seemed  to  be  near  at  hand,  and  I  think  it 
is  the  service  for  the  dead  ! 

Maffia,    Very  likely,  very  likely. 

Jeppo.     Let  us  drink  to  the  poor  defunct  —  poor  devil ! 

Gubetta.  (^Meaninglg.)  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  it  were  for  Jour 
or  fve,  instead  of  one. 

Jeppo.  Well,  more  or  less,  here's  to  all  their  healths,  and  a 
safe  journey  through  purgatory.  {AU  laugh.)  Go  on,  count, 
with  your  song  —  your  invocation  to  St.  Peter. 

Gubetta.  Speak  civilly  of  Monsieur  St.  Peter,  the  grand 
usher  and  patent  tximkey  of  paradise.  We  may  need  his  good 
offices  soon. 

All.    TV e song!  the  song  ! 
6* 


54  LUCRETIA    BORGIA.  ^ 

Gubetta. 
"  To  the  songster  so  joyous,  glass  filled  to  the  brim. 
And  belly  so  large,  ripe  for  fun. 
When  he  enters  your  portals,  at  first  glimpse  of  him, 
You  would  swear  it  a  butt  or  a  tun  !  " 

All.     Gloria  Domiiio ! 

Chant  —  solemn  music.  All  touch  glasses,  with  peals 
of  laughter,  which  is  continued,  while  the  large  cur- 
tains slowly  open,  discovering  a  large  hall  hung  with 
black.  A  large  altar  in  C,  lighted,  covered  with 
black,  with  a  large  silver  crticifix  in  c.  of  it.  Six 
monks  slowly  enter,  in  cowl  and  scapulaire  of  black, 
with  their  faces  all  concealed,  except  by  the  apertures 
of  their  vizards,  for  them  to  see  through.  Each  bears 
a  torch ;  and  as  they  range  down  stage  on  R.,  they 
chant  in  a  loud  and  solemn  tone. 
Monks.  *'  De  profundis  clamavi  ad  te,  Domine  !  Conquas- 
ribat,"  &c. 

All  the  cavaliers  stare  with  astonishment  at  them  and 
each  other. 
Maffio.     What  —  what  does  this  mean  ? 
Jeppo.  (Laughifig.)    Ha,  ha,  ha !  a  capital  joke !     I  see  it 
now !     These  are  our  charming  countesses,  disguised  thus  to 
try  our  courage.     If  we  raise  their  masks,  we  shall  find  them 
the  visages  of  mischievous,  laughing,  and  beautiful  women. 
Just  see ! 

He  lifts  the  mask  of  one  of  the  monks,  a7id  it  reveals 
the  pale  and  ghastly  counteriance  of  an  aged  man, 
calm,  silent,  motionless.      Jeppo  and  others  stand 
horror  struck. 
Maffio.     Great  heavens !  what  means  this  ?     My  blood  con- 
geals with  horror  round  my  heart ! 

Jeppo.    This  is  too  awful !    We  are  ensnared !     Our  swords ! 
our  swords ! 

Maffio,     Quick,  or  we  are  lost !    This  is  the  house  of  fiends  J 

LucEETiA,  dressed  in  black,  appears  at  0.  D. 
Lucretia.     Yes,  you  are  in  my  palace  ! 


LCCRETIA    BORGIA.  65 

Close  curtains,  and  lights  up  ffradvally. 

All  but  Gennaro,  (who  is  unseen,  on  L.  n.)    Lucretia  Borgia  ! 

Lucretia.  Ay,  Lucretia  Borgia!  (She  slowly  advances,  with  a 
tarcastic  smile,  and  gazes  on  them.^  Yes,  gallant  Venetians,  you 
ore  the  guests  of  the  Duchess  of  Ferrara — of  Lucretia  Borgia  ! 
There  was  a  time  —  I  have  not  forgotten  it  —  "when,  in  Venice, 
you  spoke  that  name  "with  scorn,  contempt,  and  withering 
hatred ;  now  it  comes  from  the  trembling  lips  of  terror.  Look 
on  me,  and  listen.  "S^lien  last  we  met,  my  heart  was  softened, 
my  feelings  changed,  my  nature  humanized,  and  sorrow  and 
repentance  for  the  past  had  bowed  me  to  the  earth.  I  had 
resolved  never  more  to  terrify  Italy  with  frightful  deeds.  One 
feeling  of  nature  still  filled  my  bosom ;  it  was  love  —  a  pure 
and  holy  love  for  one  whose  fate  for  years  I  had  in  secret  and 
in  silence  watched.  You  met  me  before  him,  and  your  eyes 
feasted  on  my  wretchedness  ■\^•ith  exultation  and  triumph.  You 
scorned  my  anguish,  you  mocked  my  sufferings,  laughed  at 
my  misery,  insulted  my  despair,  tore  from  my  face  the  mask, 
while  my  supplications  for  mercy  were  met  with  shouts  of  de- 
rision, and  every  epithet  of  ignominy  and  shame  heaped  upon 
my  bead.  I  could  have  borne  all,  had  you  not  spoken  it  before 
HIM  !  It  was  but  that  I  begged  for ;  but  you  were  merciless  ! 
I  rose  from  that  spot  with  the  spirit  of  a  demon  in  my  heart ; 
I  swore  to  have  revenge  —  a-n'ful  and  fearful  revenge !  I  have 
kept  my  oath !  Ay,  look  at  me  once  more  !  You  are  all  poi- 
soned !    Ha,  ha,  ha ! 

All.     Poisoned ! 

Lucretia.  Ay,  do  not  stir ;  the  room  without  is  full  of  armed 
men,  and,  my  good  friends,  your  deaths  are  sealed  beyond  the  ^ 
power  of  fate  itself  to  change.  Now  hear  me ;  it  is  my  turn. 
I  think  I  have  returned  your  civilities  to  me.  You  entertained 
me  at  a  ball  in  Yenice,  I  you  with  a  supper  at  Ferrara  —  f6te 
for  f&te,  feast  for  feast ! 

Jeppo.  This  is  a  horrible  waking  from  a  wild  dream  of 
mirth! 

Maffio.  Ay,  my  friend.  We  are  dying !  I  feel  it  even 
now ;  but  let  us  meet  death  unshrinkingly,  and  like  men  ! 

Lueretiu.    Remember  me  at  the  carnival  of  Yenice !  and  tell 


S6  LUCKBIIA    BOB,OIA. 

me,  hare  1  not,  for  a  woman,  well  avenged  myself  for  all  the 
agony  you  then  forced  me  to  endure  ?  Do  you  understand  the 
word  vengeance  now  ?  Holy  fathers,  conduct  these  men  into 
the  adjoining  room,  and  shrive  them ;  and  do  it  quickly,  for 
their  time  is  short !  For  you,  sirs,  fear  not ;  these  are  real 
monks  of  St.  Sixtus;  and  I  will  also  comfort  you  with  the 
assurance  that,  while  I  thought  of  your  souls,  I  have  not  neg- 
lected your  bodies.  {^Stamps.')  Open!  Behold!  {^Mtisic  — 
end  with  chord.  Curtains  open,  and  raiiged  round  the  altar  are 
five  coffi,ns,  covered  with  black,  on  which  are  painted,  in  large  white 
l«ttei-s,  the  names  of  the  five  cavaliers.  All  start  with  horror.) 
The  exact  number  —  five  !  —  Maffio,  Jeppo,  Oloferno,  Asca- 
nio,  and  Apostolo  —  exactly  five ! 

Gennaro.  {^Coming  forward.)  And  mine,  madam  —  where  is 
the  sixth  t 

Lucretia.     {Starting  back.)    Powers  of  mercy !     Gennaro  ! 

Gennaro.     Yes,  I  am  Gennaro. 

Lucretia.  I  am  accursed  and  helpless  !  (Sees  Guhetta  on  R.) 
Traitor  !  villain  !  accursed  fiend  !  Did  I  not  bid  thee  shield 
him  as  thine  own  eye  ? 

Gubetta.  I  knew  not  thy  motive ;  thy  secret  was  too  great 
for  me,  and  he  drank  what  I  prepared,  with  the  others  —  his 
potion  the  same. 

Lucretia.  (^Stabbing  him.)  And  this  be  thine,  thrice  damned 
villain ! 

Gubetta.    I  die,  but  he  dies  also,  mistress !    I  —  O  —   {Dies.) 

Lucretia.  Cast  that  carrion  into  the  streets  !  ( The  body  is 
carried  off,  ».,  by  the  guards.)  Monks,  accompany  your  charges 
to  the  altar !  All,  all  leave  me,  except  Gennaro ;  and  what- 
ever may  be  heard  or  conjectured  of  what  passes  here,  let  no 
one  dare  to  enter  !     Begone  ! 

She  sinlis  into  a  chair,  B.  Solemn  music  it  heard  be- 
hind. Monks  go  off,  c,  each  with  a  cavalier,  chant- 
ing, "  De  profundis  clamavi  ad  te,  Domine!  "  S^c,  8^0. 
Curtains  close.  Lucretia  comes  down  B.,  and  gaze* 
a  moment,  with  agony,  on  Gennaro,  who  return*  U 
sternly. 

Lmtrttia.    O,  Gennaro  I 


tCCREriA    BOKGIA.  67 

Oennaro,     Well,  madam. 

Lucretia,  Gennaro !  Gennaro !  how  do  I  find  you  here, 
when  I  thought  you  leagues  away  ?  By  what  strange  fatality 
does  every  blow  from  my  hand  fall  on  thy  devoted  head? 
Father  of  mercy !  why  are  you  here  ? 

Gen7iaro.     It  is  my  destiny. 

Lucretia.  Gennaro !  0,~^y  God !  Gennaro,  you  are  dying 
—  again  poisoned ! 

Gennaro.    Well,  madam.    And  yet  I  still  have  your  gift  - 
thU! 

Lucretia.  (With  a  scream  of  joy.')  Thank  Heaven!  TJie 
antidote  !    You  are  saved !     Drink  ! 

Gennaro.  One  word  first :  is  there  enough  in  this  phial  to 
save  my  friends  ? 

Lucretia.  (^Examines  it.)  Barely  enough  for  thee,  Gennaro  ! 
O,  quick !  take  it ! 

Gennaro.     Can  you  obtain  more  in  time  to  save  them  ? 

Lucretia.  All  that  I  possessed  you  have.  Ere  I  could  get 
more  it  would  be  too  late. 

Gennaro.    It  is  very  well.     {^Pxitting  phial  into  his  bosom.) 

Lucretia.  (Alarmed.)  \Miat  is  well  ?  Nothing  can  be  well 
till  you  have  taken  that.  I  implore  you,  do  not  play  with 
your  lif3 !  trifle  not  now !  a  few  moments  longer,  and  it  will  be 
too  late !  Quick !  you  can  yet  escape,  and  ere  the  dawn  be 
far  from  Ferrara !  I  will  furnish  the  means.  Drink  that  an- 
tidote, and  let  us  part !  O,  you  must,  you  shall  take  it,  and 
live,  Gennaro,  live! 

Gennaro.  {^Seizing  knife  from  table,  R.)  And  you,  madam, 
must  die !     {Sternly.) 

Lucretia.  {Incredulously.)    How  ?  what  say  you,  Gennaro  ? 

Gennaro.  You  have,  through  your  hellish  agent,  infamoiisly, 
treacherously  poisoned  five  men,  my  dear  friends,  men  of  rank 
and  name,  and  among  them  Maffio  Orsini,  my  brother  in  heart, 
my  companion  in  arms,  he  who  twice  saved  my  lil'e  in  battle ; 
and  between  us  all,  vengeance  is  common.  I  am  his  and  their 
avenger  !    You  must  die  ! 

Lucretia.  Die !  and  by  your  hand,  Gerjiaro  ?  No ;  that  if 
impoEsible !  it  cannot  be  ! 


68  I.UCBBTIA.   BORGIA. 

Gennaro.  It  will  be,  madam,  and  quickly,  too,  for  I  am 
dying  also !  I  feel  it  here !  So,  while  I  address  my  prayers  on 
high  for  mercy,  do  you  the  same,  with  clasped  hands  and 
bended  knees,  before  that  God  you  have  so  terribly  outraged ! 

Lucretia.  This  is  some  awful  dream  !  Thou  take  my  life  ? 
It  is  too  fearful !  No,  no ;  I'll  not  believe  it !  I  say  again,  it 
is  impossible  !  Amid  my  most  frightful  conceptions,  that  is  the 
most  agonizing  that  ever  swept  across  my  brain !  No,  no ;  He 
who  knows  all  will  not  permit  it !     (^Crosses  to  l.  h.) 

Gennaro.  (^Seizing  her  arm.)  My  throbbing  brain  and  beat- 
ing heart  cry  out  for  haste ;  I  must  obey  their  voice  !  (^Eaiaea 
his  arm.) 

Lucretia.  ( Winding  about  him,  and  falling  before  him  on  her 
knees.)  Gennaro,  cast  aside  that  knife,  as  you  hope  for  Heaven's 
mercy !  {He  raises  knife.)  Hold,  O  hold,  one  moment,  and 
listen  to  me  !  Did  you  but  know  all!  But  cast  that  knife 
aside ;  I  cannot  speak  while  that  flashes  in  my  sight !  Stay ! 
know  you  toho  I  am  or  who  you  are  ?  The  time  has  come  when 
you  must  know  all.  The  same  blood  flows  in  our  veins,  Gen- 
naro !  you  are  a  Borgia,  son  of  the  Duke  of  Candia,  and  I 

Gennaro.  I,  then,  am  a  Borgia  !  —  nephew  of  Lucretia  Bor- 
gia !  O,  horror  !  My  mother,  then,  was  the  Duchess  of  Can- 
dia, she  whom  the  Borgias  have  made  MTetched  !  It  is  you  of 
whom  my  poor  mother  spoke  in  her  letters  as  the  cause  of  her 
unhappiness !  It  is  you  who  murdered  my  father,  and  dro\^^led 
in  tears  and  blood  the  hopes  of  a  wife  and  mother  !  I  am  a 
Borgia  !  The  thought  will  drive  me  mad  !  Hear  me  !  I  have 
a  mother's  wrongs  to  avenge,  and  on  you,  my  aunt !  Your 
life  has  been  blackened  by  so  many  crimes,  it  must  be  hateful 
to  you  !  1  will  rid  you  of  its  heavy  burthen  !  /,  Lucretia 
Borgia,  am  to  slay  you ;  therefore  commend  your  soul  to  God, 
for  your  fate  is  sealed  1 

Lucretia.  Gennaro,  Gennaro,  you  are  as  yet  innocent  of 
crime  !  O,  have  mercy  !  Your  hands  are  yet  free  from  inno- 
cent blood,  your  heart  yet  unclogged  by  crime  ;  O,  keep  it  so ! 
I  entreat  you,  commit  not  this  murder ! 

Oenruiro.  Murder !  crime  !  My  head  wanders,  my  sight 
darkens  1     Is  it  with  the  thought  of  crime  ?    No,  no  ;  am  I  not 


•  Boxgia  ?    My  berii^ige  is  murder !  sbail  I  eU^grace  my  ataae 
oy  merer/  to  another  i    No ! 
Ltwretia.     I  will  call  lor  helu. 

Gennaro.  Do  so  !  No  one  will  ansver  !  You  vouraelf  for- 
uade  it ;  aud  if  they  did,  ere  they  coiUd  reach  you  it  would  be 
too  late. 

Lucretia.  Gennaro,  would  you  assassinate  a  woman  —  a 
helpless  woman  —  and  you  a  soldier  ?  You  have  a  soul  too 
noble  for  so  vile  a  deed  !  You  call  me  vile,  criminal,  wicked ; 
iil  am,  cut  me  not  ofiF  thus  ;  or,  if  I  must  die,  it  cannot,  must 
not  be  by  your  hand  ! 

Gennaro.  I  will  not,  dare  not  hear  more.  Are  you  not  my 
aunt  ?     Lucretia  Borgia,  where,  where  is  my  mojher  ? 

Lucretia.  O,  my  heart !  1  cannot  tell  him  all.  Spare  my 
life  !  I  ■VN'ill  submit  to  any  infliction  !  Shall  I  hie  to  a  clois- 
ter ?  Say  yot<  so,  I'll  do  it.  Yes,  to  obey  you,  I'll  look  for  the 
last  time  on  the  bright  world  ;  for  you  my  head  shall  be  shorn, 
my  bed  ashes,  my  raiment  sackcloth,  while  my  bare  feet  shall 
tread  the  flinty  floor  of  my  cell,  and  my  hours  shall  be  passed 
in  prayers  for  forgiveness  of  Heaven  for  past  sins,  and  for  bless- 
ings upon  you.  Gennaro,  hear  me  !  {He  seems  faint.)  Ah, 
you  turn  pale  !  "Why  have  we  wasted  the  precious  moments  ? 
Quick  !  drink  that  antidote  !  It  is  not  yet  too  late  !  save  your 
own  life  —  spare  mine  !  Do  not,  I  beg,  implore  you,  perpetuate 
crime  to  your  name,  and  by  attch  a  deed  as  will  forever  blast 
your  peace  while  living  ana  your  memory  when  dead  !  Speak ! 
let  me  hear  your  voice  !  and  do  not,  do  not  kill  an  unhappy 
woman,  who  kneels  and  supplicates  for  mercy ! 

Gennaro.  (^Moved  and  softened.')     Madam  !     {^Drops  knife.) 

Lucretia.  Ah,  you  relent !  your  eyes  fill  -with  tears,  your 
hand  trembles  in  mine ;  you  will  not,  cannot  slay  me  ! 

Maffio.  {Within,  c.)     Gennaro! 

Gennaro.  {^Starting.)  Ah  I  what  voice  is  that  ?  WTio  is  it 
calls  me  ? 

Maffio.  It  is  I  —  Maflio  —  your  brother  !  1  die,  Gennaro  I 
avenge  me! 

Gennaro.     Avenge  thee,  my  brother  ?  I  wiU,  I  will !    Lucrw* 


^^, 


fiO  ItrCRETIA    BORGIA. 

tia  Borgia,  you've  heard  your  doom !     A  voice  cries  from  iht. 
grave,  Revenge !    Hark !     You  must  die  !     (^Raises  knife.) 

Lucreiia.  {Struggling.)     Mercy!     One  word  more  1 

Gennaro.     No  !  it  is  too  late ! 

Lucretia.    O,  spare  me !  spare  me  1 

Gennaro.    No ! 

Lucretia.    In  the  name  of  Heaven  I 
""''Gennaro.    Fate  decrees  it !     Die  !    (^Stabs  her.) 

Lucretia.     Gennaro,   you  have  killed    me!      I  ah    tocb 

MOTHEB ! 

Gennaro.  {With  a  scream  of  despair.")  O  God  !  my  mother! 
{He  falls  dead  before  her.) 

Lucretia.  Gennaro !  dear  Gennaro !  My  son,  I  do  forgive 
thee  I  It  may  not  be  too  late  yet !  the  phial !  ( Crawls  to  hit 
body.  She  gets  the  phial,  puts  it  to  his  lips,  then  exclaims ;) 
Dead  !  (^Kisses  him.  Monks  within  chant,  "De  profundit,"  Sge,) 
Gennaro !     (X»»cs.) 

Stow  Curtain, 


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